Displaying everything from portraits and pottery to metalworks and mixed media designs, Lane hosted its second student art fair of the year on Thursday January 22nd.
Senior Spencer Martinez said that he stopped in because the art fair was a great way to “see some of my friends’ paintings, and some wonderful arts that I am also interested in.”
Martinez said that he was impressed by the large extent of raw talent shining through every piece in the fair. “Not every school has an art department or even the ability to host something as big as Lane has with different types of art, such as from metalsmithing or actual painting to sculpture or ceramics,” Martinez said.
Art Teacher Gretel O’Donnell shares appreciation for the fair. “Having a designated space like our gallery allows us to feature more of our students rather than the limited space in the hallway. And it also inspires kids to take these classes in the future, which is always a plus,” O’Donnell said.
As a student artist featuring a metal bracelet, Senior Myah Shakom said “It gives you a sense of personal gratification that your work is good enough to be put on display.” Due to having developed an interest in painting and metalsmithing, Shalom said, “I definitely want to minor in some kind of art.”
Advising students who wish to pursue art in their future or to incorporate it into their daily lives, O’Donnell said, “I recommend taking a wide variety of art classes. So not just sticking in one category, but kind of diversifying because Lane Tech is amazing because we have nine art teachers in so many different classes.”
“Definitely take ceramics and textiles… and drawing and painting,” O’Donnell said, laughing.
Senior Asha Westrope Pellot displayed a painted portrait as well as her All-City Senior Portfolio Exhibition winning digital illustration Window, and is one such student who has explored a wide variety of Lane’s art offerings. From Contemporary Painting to Studio Drawing and Painting to AP Drawing, Westrope Pellot is now in Independent Study, which she said involves “making your own curriculum and deciding what goals you have for yourself.”
“You really have to stick to your own goals because if you don’t you’re not going to make anything,” Westrope Pellot said. “It’s kind of helped me stay on top of actually creating my own art more.”
In addition to goal-setting and discipline, life-long skills Lane Art students can learn extend as far as designing careers, brand styles, and product packaging in Mixed Media, or reflecting on complex identities in Art I.
O’Donnell’s students in this class practiced such self-reflection in an alter ego portrait project. “The inspiration was definitely working on their drawing skills while developing an alter ego based on their own personality, whether it’s the positive or negative side of it, and kind of exaggerating it,” O’Donnell said.
Surveying the wide variety of works around the room, O’Donnell said, “I do love everything on display here. I can’t pick a favorite.”
