The McIntosh art department hosted the sixth annual art show on Thursday, March 21. Every year, art students from each level of the class select pieces that they wish to display, and boards are set up in a massive semicircle within the library. Students, teachers, family, and friends are all invited to tour the various works created over the artists’ school year. Additionally, the senior students that are a part of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) receive colorful graduation cords at the end of the show.

Gallery • 2 Photos

Photo by Sylvie Call.

Sophomore Sky Gorland pointed out her own art to a curious visitor. Because her self portrait is based off of a picture of her with her bearded dragon, Roger, she chose to bring him with her to the show. He can be seen clinging to her shirt in this picture.

The art show is days in the making, and art students volunteered to help set up the boards on which to display art, as well as the refreshments. Students are also the ones that choose which pieces are put on display. Each level of art is given an increasing number of pieces that they can submit; beginner art students choose one, second level students choose two, and AP Art students are allowed to select three. However, the art teacher, Carisa Green, also places an “extra” box at the front of the room, where students of any level are able to put their additional pieces that they wanted to display if there was room available.

Kimberly Gaddis is the mother of senior and AP Design student, Nicole Gaddis, who had multiple pieces in the art show. She said that aside from her daughter’s artwork, her favorite piece on display at the art show was that of another AP Design student, Catherine Quarles. “I love that it’s really modern,” said Gaddis. “It looks like a Picasso, and it just never ceases to amaze me how talented these students are.” 

Art students start off in beginner art, then move on to level two, called drawing and painting, and finish their art classes in AP Art. There are two available AP Art classes: AP Studio Drawing and AP Studio 2D Design. Green rotates which AP class is taught every year so that students can take both APs and be a part of the art program for all four years at McIntosh. Studio Drawing focuses more on improving the technique of an artist, while 2D Design focuses on enhancing student creativity and visual thinking.

Senior Katie Dodgen is currently in AP Design; “I prefer Design because it allows students to excel with their art even if their methods aren’t conventional,” said Dodgen. “This class has allowed me much more freedom than Studio Drawing did.”

Keith Haber is the administrator in charge of fine arts, and he also attended the show. He said that he couldn’t pick a single favorite, and that he was proud of the art program for being able to put on this show every year to display impressive student art for members of the community.

“What I really like about a lot of these pieces is the realism, attention to detail and the technique,” said Haber. “A lot of people think that art is just throwing color onto a canvas, but all art — even abstract pieces — take technique. And that’s part of why I like seeing this show, seeing how Ms. Green is teaching our students these techniques that they can carry with them into the world. Making visually challenging pieces like this takes detail and skill, and I’m consistently impressed with the abilities of our students.”

Junior Nick Shelkopf had a couple pieces of artwork in the show. This piece took him about three and a half weeks to complete. He used black and white charcoal to draw two hands reaching out for help.

“Mrs. Green’s class is something I look forward to everyday because I know I can go into her room and let my creativity flow and create something that’s different than anybody else in the class,” said Shelkopf.

The art show is a way for students to present their artwork to the members of the community and their peers, but Green feels that the purpose of art is not necessarily centered in showing off.

“My first priority with teaching art is for it to be therapeutic for students,” said Green. “And so showing it off isn’t a big priority for me. But I do think it’s important to do this because students often don’t see the value of their art, and when it’s on display and people are coming up to them to talk to them about their art, it’s an eye opening experience and they gain more confidence in their abilities.”

Junior Madison Snow is in AP Design. She used acrylic paint to create this piece as a part of her concentration.

One of the requirements for AP Design is for artists to create a portfolio with a concentration each semester; a concentration is a series of artwork that conveys a story, typically 12 pieces in length.

“I love creating art because I get to share my stories and ideas with others,” said Snow.

Although many students take art at some point in their time in high school, few follow this pathway and make a career out of it. This fact, however, does not seem to take away the value of the class.

“Each year, I have maybe two students that are going to go to art school,” said Green. “But that’s not why I teach art. I’m not trying to convince everyone to go into the art world. I feel like if kids embrace art, it can be a tool for them to deal with stress and express themselves when they can’t find the words now and later in life. My class provides a safe place for kids to express whatever they’re feeling, and to not have a right or wrong answer like so much of school does.”

Sophomore Jessica Hart recently won the first round of the Kiwanis art competition with her childhood portrait. She drew this piece with pencil, and it took her about a month of class time to complete.

“I love having my art on display,” said Hart, “Because it’s so much fun to talk to people about my art since it’s my greatest passion. I think art is a great conversation starter and sharing that interest is a great motivator for me to create more.”

Art is generally thought of as a natural talent, one that many people feel they do not have. However, Green encourages anyone to take an art class.

“It’s just like a physics class; I don’t expect anyone to know anything when they come in,” said Green. “I like to try to change people’s minds and help them realize that they can make art. If anyone wants to, they can learn to draw.”

At the end of the show, seniors were given honor cords for their participation in NAHS. The honor society requires that participants give at least 25 hours of art-related service throughout their four years in high school. They complete projects like setting up art shows and painting pumpkins for teachers in October. Art club president and vice president — seniors Sabrina Haider and Vivian Scott respectively — presented the cords to the qualified seniors.

“Giving out the art cords was such a rewarding experience,” said Haider. “Being president of this club has given me a new perspective of art not only as a means of expression but also as a place where everyone can learn to be themselves and grow. I’m really going to miss this club, my friends, and Mrs. Green next year.”