By Julia Kulon
She dug into the printed Desigual tote, her hands revealing a long-winding scroll of paper, crayons and color-pencils. Marcissa Marcias, Div. 458, looked at the semi-circle of teenagers surrounding her and with a glint in her eyes, announced, “Dig in, y’all!”
The little group looked a bit hesitant at first, but soon people surrounded the tote and the room burst with excited creativity.
The Art Club, established at the end of the first semester, is led by President Marcias and Vice Presidents, India Armstrong, Div. 471, and Taylor Vacala, Div. 473. The club is sponsored by Mr. Ara, Lane’s Graphic Design teacher.
“I wanted to join a club that had something to do with art beyond the classroom curriculum,” said Marcias, “but there wasn’t one necessarily.”
“We were in [art] class and we started having a discussion,” said Vacala. “It sort of came to us that we should create that club where we could do art together.”
The Art Department currently offers classes in the traditional media of drawing, painting, photography, graphic design, and sculpture. A new addition for the 2012-2013 year will be Mixed Media, which will be taught by current photography teacher, Ms. McMeans.
“We want to explore new techniques,” said Armstrong.
“Not all schools in the city have an art program, and the club is a realization of the many opportunities that Lane can offer to its students,” Ara said. “I think it’s great. [Club members] can come together beyond the classroom, hang out, and produce art.”
Given that the idea was sprung half-way through the school year, three promotional posters were created and hung around Lane’s hallways and cafeteria. The posters proved effective, and attracted many of the current members of the club. About 20 students attended the most recent meeting.
The club officers also relied on word of mouth.
Hector Montalvo, Div. 469, and Tammy Chen, Div. 469, found out about the club directly through Armstrong. Priscilla Montalvo, Div. 752, also came along with her big brother.
“By exploring art, you can explore yourself. Art can help you reveal thoughts and feelings,” said H. Montalvo.
The club has attracted a variety of artists. Different members have a media they want to explore and dabble in.
Jessalynn Medina, Div. 580, is a painter and a recent origami enthusiast. Medina’s godmother bought her an origami kit last year, and Medina has mastered the basics.
“I mostly fold animals: cranes and elephants,” said Medina. “Then there’s this spike-ball that I’m trying to figure out.”
A spike ball, part of modular origami, (a type of origami that involves the assemblage of many identical parts that strives to create an interesting geometric form) is a cuboctahedron made of 12 modules. It was originally created by Rona Gurkewitz and Bennett Arnstein.
Alex Vargas, Div. 545, is all about exploring the three dimensions, particularly the possible structures that could be created from sheet metal.
“The curriculum of Lane’s art department can be very limited to the teacher’s vision,” said Vargas. “For me, that’s not being an artist.But this club can help me be that artist.”
For Ruth Borguardt, Div. 564, her media of choice are wood and drawing.
“I love wood,” said Borguardt. “I’m hoping the club will actually motivate me to finish something,” said Borguardt who claims to struggle finishing her art projects.
At the end of the year, the club hopes to put on an art show at a local gallery displaying every member’s artwork and talents. The artwork will be joined together under the theme of ‘Blue.’
“I am hoping that my friend [who owns a gallery] will give us some wall space,” said Ara, “so that this could be done in a real gallery space, and properly.”
All members filled out a proposal, containing a sketch of their idea, their interpretation of the theme, and the materials they will need to execute their projects.
The art show is not to be confused with the Art & Clay Fest, an arts festival that will be happening in May at Lane. The festival, organized by Mrs. Moore who teaches Ceramics, will display the talents of art students from every department.
The club plans to fundraise for members’ needed materials. For Valentine’s Day, the club (with Ara’s help) created linoleum print cards featuring things like bouquets of flowers and octopuses making hearts with their legs.
The club paints and draws away every Monday in Room 139 after school.
