Max Herre/Staff Writer
Once more the Hearst Center opens itself up for the work of CFHS students that has been crafted over the last year in different art classes. The exhibition features student work ranging from ceramics and jewelry crafts, to design, drawing and painting.
According to Lisa Klenske, an art teacher at Cedar Falls High School, it is “more about showing a variety of what our students are doing than showing just the best, although most of it is really good.”
Convinced that the art the students are presenting in Developing Expressions is “incredible,” Vicki Simpson, Development Coordinator at the Hearst Center, said she believes that people should come and view the talented work.
“The caliber of talent evident in the works truly astounds me. You’ll have to stop by to experience the works for yourself, to be able to appreciate fully what I am talking about,” Simpson said.
Simpson also believes that art is worthy of noted emphasis.
“Art most definitely should be placed as a high priority. Research continues to suggest a variety of strong linking components between art programs and educational achievement.
Furthermore, as a discipline, art has revealed its innate capacity to enrich individuals, families and communities in the world as a whole. Cultured, aesthetically sensitive civilizations have thrived throughout all of recorded history, and one must look to the distinctly humanizing elements of the fine arts as being an integral part of that. I firmly believe that it is crucial to stress the importance of art during tumultuous times,” Simpson said.
Sophomore Carson McRae’s daily life reflects his own art work.
“If I feel really musical on a certain day, my art will probably reflect that. If I feel like taking out my anger on something, my art might get a dark feel to it,” McRae said.
Art teacher Bob McCullough also said he believes art is vitally important.
“It (art) brings everything together. Art is like all the classes they (the students) take in school together. They use math, science and, well, a lot of poetry, English. You know, everything.”
According to McCullough “most of them (the students) have just a really high interest in art.” He said, “The kids who excel just really love it, just really enjoy and love to do art. It really is from the heart. They are just making their art because they love to make it.”
Every year there are some students that go on to an art school to get their degrees in fabric design, design of clothing, ceramics or even to become art teachers. Klenske comments on the unexpected turns that art may bring.
“Sometimes when they leave here it’s not their intention (to get an art degree), but then they get to college and they find out they are missing their art, so they go and take an art class, and the next thing they know is they changed their major,” Klenske said.
This year’s exhibition, called “Developing Expressions,” will be presented until May 10 at the Hearst Center for the Arts at 304 West Seerley Blvd. The admission to the exhibit is free.