From ceramic sculptures to detailed paintings and mixed media collages, students in the art department displayed their pieces in the Art Show and Open House, Dec 10. Visiting eight-graders, parents, and students wandered between the display boards, admiring projects from art students. Art teacher Keith Opstad said inviting incoming freshmen is a good way to introduce students to the different art mediums taught at Westview.
“A lot of times, our incoming freshmen have room in that freshman year for electives,” Opstad said. “And so rather than some art educators who just do projects, there’s a lot of instruction [on fundamentals]. In the 1-2 introductory classes, there’s no prerequisite skills necessary. We will teach you line, shape, form, proportion, [and] composition. We’ve got a very talented arts department, and instead of just doing projects, they actually teach.”
This year’s Art Show was the second one organized by the art classes. Opstad said that having the experience from last year helped them work through the challenge with corners of art pieces detaching from their backings..
“[During spring last year], it got really damp that night and all the artwork started popping off,” Obstad said. “We learned from that to make sure [the show] was close to the classrooms. It was a great way of sharing [artwork] with the students and staff, all during the day, and then also from 5 to 6:30 during the evening.”
Ruby Nygren (10), a Photography student, had one of her photos selected by her teacher for the art show. Nygren was inspired to take the class after modeling for her sister’s photographs.
“I only took the class because my sister used to take it, and I would model for [her pieces],” Nygren said. “I didn’t think I was gonna be good at it. But then [my teacher said], ‘Ruby, this photo is gonna be for the art show.’ [It showed me] that she thinks that I’m learning a lot and [making] progress.”
Nygren’s photograph focused on one piece of her jewelry arranged with other bracelets, rings, and necklaces, following a theme.
“[My theme was] different things that express me,.” Nygren said. “I like jewelry, so I [arranged] my favorite bracelet so it’s emphasized. [When editing], I brought out the colors of the main bracelet more. The red [gem] used to look darker and muted, but then I brightened it up, to make your eyes drawn to it.”
Rylie Nevarez (12), a Ceramics and Drawing and Painting student, had two pieces from her classes, a pumpkin sculpture and a mixed media collage, up for display.
“This is the second year [my art was displayed],” Nevarez said. “Sitting in class, people will come up to me and [tell me], ‘I saw your piece.’ It feels nice to get appreciation from peers. I’m always gonna overanalyze. I had to take a break, and let other people tell me [my art is] good.”
Casper Padua (10) said she saw how important the event was for connecting Westview’s art community.
“At Westview, everybody knows a little bit of each other,” Padua said. “But especially in communities like the art community, it’s really important that we all stay together and we recognize each other, and each other’s work. We all have different mediums, and we all have different styles that we like in art. It’s really nice to get together for the art show and recognize everybody’s different style.”
