U-High’s Art students participated in Millikin University’s high school Art show the weekend of Nov 9. Students Vivia Rolon, Tori Jones, Kassi Sydney, Anna Elkins, Georgia Harrison, and Emeryson Moore submitted pieces.
U-High’s art program offers several opportunities for students including art shows, clubs, field trips, and AP Art Portfolio.
Regardless of artistic ability, there is a spot for everyone. Senior Hayden Frerichs joined Art Fundamentals this semester without taking any art courses previously.
“You won’t know you are good at it until you actually try it,” Frerichs said. “So I would say it is an important class to take.”
While the class focuses on artistic skills, students explore skills useful for other areas of life such as problem-solving and creativity. The art room also provides students a space for a brain break and a safe place to come to throughout an intense school day.
“You can let your brain go free, relax, and have fun,” Frerichs said.
Although he was just hired last year, Casey Wilen has had a quick impact on the program and students.
“Mr. Wilen is very personable. He relates to his students, and all the students who take art class are usually very kind. It’s just a very positive space,” senior Tori Jones said. “ He incorporates everyone and their backgrounds and creates a space that is very welcoming.”
Unlike Frerichs, Jones, now in AP Art, has been taking art classes all four years of high school and is looking to continue her art journey by going into art education. Jones spends three to four hours of her day in the art room. Her portfolio theme centers on childhood nostalgia.
“Art is an outlet and allows me to voice stuff in pictures and drawing that I am not able to voice with words,” Jones said.
A three-year student of art, senior Emeryson Moore, recently created a piece entitled, “ “ , and Wilen encouraged her to enter it into the Millikin Art Show. Moore took home Best in Show.
“The art show for me was more of a personal achievement. Being a creative person, I can be really critical about my work,” Moore said. “I was really proud that I was in the show let alone winning Best in Show. It was a symbol of my hard work.”
