High school Art Show mixes it up this year with variety of work

Natalie Grove

The Art Show at Sweet Home High School meshes varied art forms, including food, drawing, sewing, photography, ceramics and paintings.

The bulk of the art, which opened Monday, March 3, with a reception in the high school library, where the art is on display, is represented in the fine arts. Over 480 pieces of artwork, hand picked over the last year, were displayed.

“We have a lot of good artists,” said Art teacher Gelindo Ferrin, in his ninth year teaching in Sweet Home. “This art is really important. For some of these kids, it’s all they do here. It’s why they keep coming to school.”

This is the first year photography has been featured at the show. The school doesn’t currently offer any photography classes, but Ferrin said “it’s (photography) a real independent effort on the part of the students.”

Also, this year food is on display.

“Food is as much of an artistic expression as other art,” said Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Suzette Andersen, whose Husky Catering students created colorful appetizers for the art show, ranging from coconut truffles to pork wontons.

Cooking a whole project or meal in a short 52-minute class periods can be a challenge.

“It takes a lot of focus and a lot of energy,” said student Sean Steinborn.

Andersen said, “They have done a wonderful job.”

Work from sewing students was represented by colorful quilts covering the walls in the library entrance. The beginning students make one quilt square a week while the most advanced are able to receive independent instruction for clothing projects.

Many of the fine arts pieces displayed have prices listed. Ferrin currently has several students considering pursuing careers as artists. “I encourage them to sell their work. Then they get a chance to see what it takes to be an artist; you’ve got to get your work out there.”

Ferrin said those skeptical about the value of art in education “should try it first.”

“Art is an inherent part in every human being. An appreciation of how art works will change the way you look at the world. Everybody’s creative. They just have to try it.”

Student Kara Clement recently discovered her painting talent in a watercolor class.

Her first painting was inspired by Athena, but morphed into a Mother Earth.

By the time she was finished, she was ready for another. Adam and Eve, Horus, Athena, and more followed.

“My father is an artist too, and he uses acrylics. He told me how hard watercolors were, which was part of why I chose to use them.”

Ferrin said anyone can do art.

“They just might need a class first. It’s a lot of fun to have the community come out and enjoy.”

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