The miraculous transformation of a navy-blue backpack into a colorful taco commands the attention of many students passing by. The astounding metamorphosis of another blue backpack into a strange deep-sea fish leaves some students in awe, marveling and wondering how it is even possible.
One may think it is impossible, but during the Student Art Show, Ms. Kathleen Hoskins’ various art and drawing classes share a semester’s worth of creativity and imagination in the breezeway between the two courtyards for all to view.
The Student Art Show, which was on display late April 2011 and showcased every art and drawing student’s artwork, has always served as a good place to relax and view art by Jesuit students. In all the turmoil and chaos before finals, it is nice to unwind and reflect by looking at the many works exhibited in the hall.
Ms. Hoskins, who has displayed students’ art since she first started teaching at Jesuit, gives students the perfect environment to complete exceptional works of art. “Art Appreciation students choose their favorite work and learn how to measure and cut a mat to display it,” Ms. Hoskins said about one of her classes. “This year their kites were put on display, and we don’t usually display kites.”
Ms. Hoskins continued, explaining that “Art, Art 2, and Drawing 1 classes each get one side of a whole display board to fill with their works. They mat anywhere from 4 to 6 pieces plus additional work if there’s room on the board.”
One interesting point about the art displayed is that Ms. Hoskins doesn’t “dictate” the art styles. “I give them information, different materials to make art, different materials to make marks, and different surfaces to work on. My goal for the semester is to make sure they have a good vocabulary of what’s available out there to work with, and then I give them a direction to go for each project,” Ms. Hoskins explained. “Generally in both Art 1 and in Art 2 we start with black and white (graphite and charcoal) and move into color (color pencils, pastels). Art 2 does painting, and also a little sculpture and printmaking.”
Preparation plays a key role in making sure artwork is the best it can be. “Students have sketchbooks in which they do a lot of planning,” Ms. Hoskins said. “That is always the required first step for any project.” When it comes to due dates, Ms. Hoskins says, “I do have deadlines for each project, one or two weeks depending on the school calendar. Students don’t all work at the same pace, so what happens is those who aren’t finished by the deadline but have been in class the whole time receive full credit for their work, and I encourage them to finish it for themselves in their free time.”
Art students, and even students not in any art class, may submit their works to the Jesuit Journal, Jesuit’s literary magazine. “A lot of guys don’t know that all they need to do is go to the Jesuit Journal [staff or moderators] and say, ‘I would like to find out about getting my work in it.’ In my experience with the Jesuit Journal workers, they like to scan work and keep it on file,” Ms. Hoskins explains, “so they have those images that they can draw from for a themed Jesuit Journal. Tony Duong ’13, a student in one of Ms. Hoskins’ art classes, submitted one of his own drawings into the Jesuit Journal, and enjoys the fact that, “I can use my creativity and really draw what I want to express.”
One surprise not previously noticed by many students was the ceramics display on the freshman steps. In the past, the ceramics display had been exhibited on the second floor of the Terry Center, separated from the Student Art Show. Recently, however, after collaborating with the ceramics instructor Mr. Raymond Ochs, Ms. Hoskins decided to display the two exhibitions in close proximity.
Currently, Ms. Hoskins’ classes are participating in the 4×5 Exhibit presented by Loyola High School of Chicago from May 17th to the 20th. “All of my students were working on a 4×5, no smaller, no bigger. It could be any medium, such as pencil, paints, or photography,” Ms. Hoskins said. “We had 60 guys turn works in, and I had my students judge them, ranking them because we were allowed only 30 pieces. So we sent those off, and they are being judged probably as we speak. We don’t know what the result is yet, but it’s a very fun opportunity for art students.”
Ms. Hoskins emphasizes the success that her students have regardless of their artistic backgrounds. “In my mind they all do a really good job. Even if they have had no art experience whatsoever, all of a sudden light bulbs start going on and they are proud of their work,” Ms. Hoskins says. “You’ve also got the guys that have been making art since grade school and really love it. I expect them to show me that they are making new discoveries even now and not getting stuck in a rut drawing cartoon characters or superheroes.” Each semester brings new art students, eager to claim their styles and expand their artistic capabilities.
Photography by Jack White ’13
