An annual tradition, the Jesuit Art Show returned the week of December 3rd. Featuring the art of sophomores through seniors, work from Art Appreciation, Drawing 1, and Art 2 were displayed on display boards in the breezeway between the cafeteria to the crossroads of the main building.
Each class created different styles of art with every student presenting their work with a unique touch so that no two pieces were alike.
Art Appreciation exhibited kites, an exercise where they highlighted colors using acrylic paints. They also put on show examples of relief printmaking and a self-portraits using objects, a technique called pointillism. Ms. Kathy Hoskins, a member of the Fine Arts Department, noted that “a lot of guys don’t realize that [Art Appreciation is] at least 50-60% hands-on work.”
Drawing 1, a course where students start drawing in black and white and slowly transition to color, presented plenty of different materials of diverse images featuring a wide range of artwork created using charcoal and pastels.
Art 2, which involves drawing, painting, printmaking, and a little bit of sculpture, displayed a wide variety of art. This class is a more upper-level art course which features more advanced styles of printmaking as well as other techniques.
After many hours of diligent work on these pieces, the students were eager for the show. Harrison Folk ’15 said “[he] like[s] the art show because it is a place where [he] can display [his] hard work” and let the whole school see his masterpieces. The art show provides a rewarding way to exhibit a student’s individual artwork to the entire school.
“[There are] lots of surprises. Teachers are always surprised when they see students that they’ve taught display their work and are surprised that they have that talent,” Ms. Hoskins commented. Quite excited about this year’s Art Show, Ms. Hoskins elaborated that “[she is] so impressed with the effort these students put into their work. It’s a full semester of work. I know students love looking at the work.”
The students share this same enthusiasm, marveling at the work of their peers. Ben Ovenshire ’15 said that “the interesting part is seeing art [that is good] done by people you know.” From athletes to debaters, superior artistry can be seen in some of the most unlikely students.
At a school like Jesuit, where the talent pools runs deep from sports to art, this year’s Art Show most likely amazed students and faculty alike. Evident through the doodles on the sides of notebooks and the masterpieces in the Art Show, the high level of artistry among Jesuit students is impressive by any standard.
