Almost immediately after school, students came to the Spring Art Show in Gallery 2501 to admire their peers’ artworks and see their own pieces hung up in a formal setting. From delicately glazed ceramic mugs to meticulously pencilled graphite artworks, a wide array of mediums were showcased on March 1.

There were many themes to the paintings, from oceanic landscapes to skies and cities. Most paintings were either acrylic or watercolor. Large acrylic portraits on canvas were also displayed, after being hung up near the main office.

Themes are chosen collectively by the art department, according to Ms. Diamond, who teaches Digital Imaging.

This is the third seasonal show, with shows previously held in winter and fall. Before the end of the school year, an AP show, as well as a show for neighborhood elementary school students have been planned. Diamond plans to also do a show based on her class’s trip to Iceland this coming June.

In order to learn to present one’s artwork, Ms. Diamond suggests identifying a theme.

“When you’re applying to art schools, you create a portfolio,” Diamond said. “It’s not always based on your test scores, it’s about how well you can work within that medium.”

Most importantly, Diamond said she hopes that the art show helps students build confidence in their own art.

“A lot of things that I hear as an art teacher are that students don’t think their art is good enough, or that it’s worthy of being shown,” Diamond said. “So when they can see it up on a wall and watch other people appreciate their artwork, I would hope that it would give them the confidence to pursue art or even do it as a hobby.”

Ms. Wain, who has taught art at Lane for six years, said that the students should utilize the gallery for their own personal benefit.

“Once it’s in there, it’s a little more available for documentation,” Ms. Wain said. “So if you want to stand by your work and have a picture taken, that may be better than having it in the classroom.”

Hayley Wallenfeldt, Div. 890, has an independent study of hers showcased in the show. Her works have been chosen for the CPS All-City exhibition and the Illinois High School Art Exhibition. IHSAE is a state-wide showcase that offers students a chance to show their work to colleges and works as a scouting ground for colleges to recruit artists and potentially give them scholarships.

Wallenfeldt worked with LT’s theatre production consistently over four years, painting backdrops and sets for “Little Shops of Horrors,” “Blithe Spirit” and “Romeo and Juliet.” She is currently working on a mural on the art department’s storage door.

Wallenfeldt’s independent study called “Act Five, Scene Two” alludes to Hamlet, a reference to her interest in theatre and art.

“Independent studies are driven towards students that have a passion for a certain field of art, or for art in general,” Wallenfeldt said. “It’s something I would definitely recommend for someone who wants to go into art as their career.”

Wallenfeldt is doing her independent study with Ms. Custodio. Wallenfeldt said that through doing an independent study, students could approach their art teachers and come up with a curriculum that would work well for the individual student.

While Wallenfeldt wants to pursue her art career at the University of Michigan for theater and art, David Flores, Div. 984, has his heart set on the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Flores’s interest in fashion compelled him to participate in a fashion show at the beginning of this year called Press Night hosted by Kim Products.

Flores is also working on a project called Thesisuproject he hopes will empower others to stay united and follow their dreams. In addition to his own project, he helped organize the student walkout in opposition to gun violence on March 15.

He said he is grateful for the opportunity to showcase his art to 4,500 students.

“Adults and supervisors see potential in my work and that means so much to me,” Flores said.

To those who view his art, Flores said, “I want them to know that anything is possible and staying united can change the world, spreading love can change the world, and as individuals if we can stay positive and learn to love, we can do anything and our dreams can take us anywhere.”