Underneath powerful paintings that fill the walls of the art room lies an outlet of inspiration and expression that is both therapeutic and fun. 

The upcoming Spring Art Show is taking place in the cafeteria on the same night as the Dance Show on Friday, May 9th, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. It is a perfect opportunity to experience some of the works of beauty our school has been working on, but also an insight into the minds and motivation of each student. 

While the finished portfolio and painting of the art students are impressive, the journey is often the most beneficial.

“People undervalue the benefits of taking an art class,” Sarah Lam, the art teacher in charge of the event, and a constant supporter of each artist’s unique style, said,  She explained that “(art) is a way to kind of decompress, relax, and kind of get into a different head space,” and that “you can actually visualize and map out multiple views, sometimes simultaneously.” What many students don’t realize is that art affects all aspects of life and will help in any lifestyle that you pursue. Those taking difficult and stressful classes should seriously consider taking at least the first art class. 

Sarah Lam and the students share this view on a safe and calming place away from the normal stress of school. 

“It’s a very encouraging environment to take a break from the academic stress around the school and unwind,” Mila Sweetnam, a current senior and winner of the Art Department Award, said. “I was never very interested in taking actual classes in high school until I took art one,” and that she “just fell in love with the program.” 

She started painting at a very young age and now specializes in people and anatomy. According to Mila, her AP Art Portfolio is “all about division. Whether it be family separation or cultural division in life.”

Students have the freedom to choose whatever they are passionate about, an opportunity of this class that other classes do not or cannot provide. 

“I’ve been drawing since I was little, and I would do it constantly, and I wanted to learn more about art theory and the base to like color,” Theo Andersen, an Art 2 student who will continue to AP Art, said.

Andersen’s passion for art theory and the combination of base colors has been honed and fostered by the art program at our school. He tries to imitate a Van Gogh-like style, while still including his preferences and strokes into the paintings. 

“Everyone can do art, that whole thing that I can’t do anything besides stick figures, it’s fictitious, it’s just about your mindset, ” Lam said.