The Arts program is a wonderful and diverse part of our SPFHS community, and nothing displays that more than their annual art show. Every year in early May or late April, the high school, middle schools and elementary schools get together to display all the beautiful art made by students throughout the year. They display everything from pottery, to abstract paintings, to still lifes, collages and more.
“What’s important about art is that there are no rules. You can approach it with rules and techniques, to make it more realistic if that’s what you want, but as an artist you can do whatever you want. You can make art about whatever you know. You can explore trees, you can explore portraiture, anything.” Art teacher Jeffery Gutterman told The Fanscotian.
Gutterman teaches many of the art classes here at SPFHS: Studio Art, Drawing I, Drawing II, Painting and Figure Drawing. Students from every one of those classes submitted work in the art show. Even some students who don’t regularly take art classes jumped at the opportunity.
“It was a very good success. It was a lot of work setting it up all day, and then we had a wonderful time from 7-9, it was very busy. Lots of students, parents, administrators, we had music playing, it was wonderful.” Gutterman said.
The art show is one of the biggest events of the year for the art programs across the district.
“It’s really just about being able to display and see everybody’s work, not only in the high school but in the elementary and middle schools.” Senior Michelle Nikolaev said.
Nikolaev had several pieces on display this year, both paintings and life-like models, which she has been working on all year in her Studio Art class. Nikolaev and all other students put in incredible effort to set up the displays, label every art piece, help out as much as possible and make it a night worth remembering.
The art show is so important because it offers students a chance to showcase their hard work, and it gives parents, faculty and other students a chance to appreciate the artwork and efforts of the students. The show promotes the arts program at the high school, something many arts students would encourage others to participate in.
“Taking art classes is really important because it allows your brain to work in a different manner than you might usually do in school. It’s a great creative outlet.” Nikolaev said. “Every great artist has had to practice. If you never give yourself the opportunity to learn and grow and develop your skill, you don’t know what you’re really capable of making.”
If you have the opportunity, take that leap. Take an art class, go to the showcase, explore the arts in any way possible because the arts always give back as much passion and joy as you put in. Walking through the art show, seeing the effort, passion and love that every student puts into their work gives you a new perspective on how important the art program is to the high school.
