Student Work: High School Elective Art Gallery 2012

as promised, I want to share about maybe the most exciting art event Doulos has ever put on.

 (or at least that's my opinion :)

Last year, the school decided to actually have required art classes for some of the HS grades and maintain the art elective for HS. I was super excited to be able to spend the required classes developing skills and devote the elective time to more student-led curiosity and personal investigation of visual arts. My hope was to create a  mock independent study course where we studied how to develop a self-defined theme and use that theme to create a series of artworks.

It was a journey and process to say the least. At the beginning many of my students struggled with confidence or lack of exposure to what a well thought-out artwork or series could even look like or encompass. We dove head first into keeping a sketchbook of ideas. This habit is still one that I hope to work with my students with.






By the end of the first semester, they had chosen and proposed themes they wanted to explore and created a first piece to fit into that theme. Then the second semester, together we struggled through variation of the theme, use of materials, deadlines, and overall responsibility and dedication to their art.







I had a range of levels in this class-- some who could completely take ownership over this project and others who needed a hand held in every step of the way; some that had almost no visual art experience but ended up surprising not only themselves but me with their growth and talent via ownership and dedication; some whose ideas were as simple and basic as you can imagine but humbly accepted my constant pushing and shoving; some whose ideas were expansive but lacked follow-through.






They were frustrated at times, I was frustrated at times...they were joyfully surprised at times, and I was joyfully surprised at times. And finally, after some pulling of teeth and many deep breaths, we got it all together and celebrated with our community at our first ever Doulos Art Exhibition.

We had a great turn out of family, friends, and Doulos staff. A new plaza had recently opened up across the street and because of some connections our accountant had we were blessed to be able to use the gallery space for free! Praise God! It made the night that much more special because there was a sense of professionalism rather than just another school-based event.

As the students arrived and saw their work hanging up, I saw smiles and light bulbs flashing bright. The whole year I kept pushing them and telling them that we were going to have this gallery and it was a big deal-- they would always respond to me with confused eyes and "whatever" shrugs. It was like finally they saw what I was trying to help them see all along.

Already there is talk and visions for next year...and not just from me but from the students! I hope that God will allow this exhibition to be an annual event that Doulos can use to celebrate the visual arts of our students with the community.