Art show explores different cultures within community
Explaining Emotions– Freshman Maksym Ievsiev gives a presentation on his acrylic painting. After the ESOL students gave their presentations, they participated in multiple workshops given by local artists.
March 23, 2019
A multicultural art show took place at the high school on March 22 that featured work from English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students and professionals. Aside from displaying original pieces from the students, the event had several activities facilitated by professional artists.
The ESOL class, taught by English teacher Lauren Luciani, is designed to aid students who are not native English speakers; the students have lived in countries from different parts of the world, and many are bilingual. The art show was a combined effort between Luciani and Fine and Applied Arts Department Leader Julie Sawyer who discussed how ESOL students could express their multicultural identities through art under the theme of “Sharing Our Stories Through Art.”
“The art show is an exploration of multiculturalism: how we perceive our identities through multicultural perspectives. It’s tough to be a teenager, trying to figure yourself out; it’s even harder to do that in a new place, with new people, norms, and
languages. So I thought this could be a unique way to think about not just our identities but to share what makes us unique with others,” Luciani said.
Heart to Heart– Freshman Catalina Castrillon explains the meaning behind the art piece she made. Students from ESOL class presented their work to an audience of family, staff, and other students.
The art show took place in the school library and cafeteria from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The ESOL students
presented their pieces in the library during the first portion of the art show, 5:30 p.m. through 6:00 p.m., and students, family, and faculty walked around the art exhibit and asked questions about their artwork.
“I did my art piece on the hardships I experienced when I first moved to the United States. I didn’t speak much English at all, and it was very hard, at first, to create relationships with people since English wasn’t my first language. I did my art piece on this because it impacted me a lot, and I thought it was a good way to express my individuality and emotions,” freshman Catalina Castrillon said.
From 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., local artists and performers gave workshops and presentations: Aiden Berglund, a graphic storyteller from New York City; Hong Hong, a paper-making artist; Stanwyck Cromwell offered a painting workshop; Ed Johnetta Miller provided a quilt design workshop; Joe Carter and Laura Volpintesta performed jazz songs; Balam Soto had an interactive digital installation; Christine Breslin, a photographer that focuses on immigration stories; Ayisha Kishili Miller, a mixed media artist; Mellissa Noluthando, a principal dancer; and art teacher Earl Procko displayed virtual reality.
Paint night– Senior Wallaf Monteiro speaks with attendees at the multicultural art show that took place on March 22. Under the theme “Sharing Our Stories Through Art,” the students creatively shared with the community their multicultural identities.
“During the art show, we did Japanese marble plating on rice paper, painted on plates, and checked out the visual arts section. I learned about a ton of other cultures’ art and how they express it,” senior Chantelle Otu-Appiah said.
Ultimately, the art show allowed students to express themselves and share their pieces with others. It also educated the community on how art is diverse and present in all cultures.