Twice a year, beautiful masterpieces, ranging from black and white drawings to intricately decorated painted kites grace the halls of Jesuit College Prep. But what makes these pieces of art special is not their beauty, which they certainly possess; it is the fact that our fellow students created them.
At the end of each semester, the art department displays the stunning creations of students who took part in the creative classes of Drawing 1, Art 2, Art 3, Art 4, and Advanced Art Portfolio. Over the course of a semester, art students hone their artistic skills, practice their techniques tirelessly, and eventually produce fantastic portfolios of art that can be seen in the main hall of Jesuit.
These pieces of art include drawings, prints, paintings, and even collages with their subjects ranging from simple items, like backpacks, to complex beings, like mythical goddesses.
When asked about the process the students go through to create their art, Mrs. Kathleen Hoskins, the Jesuit art teacher, commented that “The students have all worked in a variety of media,exploring black and white using graphite, pen and ink, and [eventually move] on to color [with] colored pencils, pastels, paint, [as well as print making].”
She went on to say that she,“encourage[s her] students to use their art as a form of communication
through self-portrait and personal symbols as well as referring to photographs that they or family members have taken.”For Patrick Campbell ‘14, the source of his inspiration came from his family and the majority of his pieces centered on his uncles; he “tried to depict their life” in his art. In a response to a question about the design of his pieces, Campbell remarked that the composing of the art “allows[him] to express [his] life and point of view through art. [H]e want[s] people to look at [his] art and really take in and analyze [his] subject.” He also mentioned that in order to create the art, he had to “imagine [himself] in the picture” and take a nostalgic approach.
But the art serves a bigger purpose than just being a nice thing to look at as students pass from the lunchroom to classes; it teaches the artist, who created them, far more about themselves than they ever knew existed. The art classes, and the pieces made in them, act as a development tool and give students a chance to explore the creative mindset.
As Mrs. Hoskins said, “By insisting on original ideas for all of [the students’] work, I believe their study and practice of art enhances their creativity.
They are asked to share their own ideas in a tangible way increasing their overall ability to communicate and also better understand other artists work.” In response Campbell stated that the art “gives students a chance to express themselves” in a way not usually thought of, as well as “help [him personally] understand the different views one can have towards art.”
No matter how one perceives the art in the Jesuit Student Art Exhibit, it is considered priceless. Whether it be the beauty it possesses or the meaning and opportunity it gives, the art created by the Jesuit students can never be priced, for what it gives to the community and its creators is far too great to be labeled with a value.
