“What does art mean to you?” Many students take difficult courses throughout high school to increase their grade point average. Usually, these are AP courses that revolve around the four core subjects, English, Math, Science, and History. They are told to get into the best schools to have rewarding jobs and fulfilling lives, they have to take these classes. However, adults tend to forget about having students focus on more passion-based classes or classes they enjoy. Throughout my personal experience, taking elective courses geared towards interests is much more enjoyable than the strenuous, taxing classes advertised. The studio arts course, taught by Mrs. Page, allows students to have a creative outlet and decompress into their innovative mindsets. It is a mixed-media course utilizing “…drawing and painting in 2D design to explore the basic techniques and materials that we would typically see with drawing and painting from acrylic paints to watercolors, graphite pencils, colored pencils, mixed media art, and artwork as well.”- Mrs. Page.
After entering the atmosphere for the first time, I realized it wasn’t just a class. It is a sanctuary where students can express emotions and thoughts that words fail to capture. It deepens the boundaries of conventional education by offering a safe space where creativity, individuality, and originality can flourish and grow. Dissimilar to the structure of the core subjects, studio arts provide a necessary balance to allow students to explore and develop their unique talents. Engaging themselves in studio arts not only nurtures their artistic abilities, but it also promotes mental wellness, offering relief from the pressures of academic advancement. This integrated approach to education accentuates the importance of incorporating passion-driven courses into the curriculum to stimulate a more well-rounded and satisfying learning experience.
Art is a philosophical mode for expressing one’s feelings and ideas. When Lizzy Heitchue, a current Studio Arts student, described art as an “expression of feelings and colors and what you want to put on paper,” it perfectly summarized what art represents. It’s a way to translate emotions into a visual presentation, using colors, shapes, and textures to elaborate on what words cannot. This form of expression is intricate, allowing artists to communicate their particular angle and exposure throughout their work.
In the art class environment, the freedom to embody personal ideas and creativity is encouraged. Lizzy, when asked what her favorite part of the class was, explained, “We get to incorporate pieces that we can think of ourselves. It is very open. You can put in a lot of things from your ideas. It’s not strict at all.” This flexibility allows for a safe space for creativity to thrive. It influences students to explore their imagination and develop their artistic abilities without the restrictions of adamant regulation of most courses. This open-ended path not only strengthens technical abilities but also boosts their confidence in the art they are creating.
The combination of personal interpretation and innovative freedom is what makes art such a powerful and gratifying experience. It’s not just about creating aesthetically pleasing pieces; it’s about developing a work that has a personal significance and relays a story to its viewers. In this supportive environment, students are open to experimenting, take risks, and grow as artistic individuals. This process of discovery and self-expression is what makes art so special, and why it remains an essential part of the educational experience.
