Often times, students’ artwork greets anyone walking through the front doors of High Point. While some students pass by without a care, others see the photos or pencil drawings or paintings and openly express a smile and sometimes even contribute to the scattered compliments that can be heard if one listens. This positive reaction to art should not be limited to just the art wing or entrance of the school or the small glass display in the cafeteria, but also to the halls beyond.
Like many institutions, the walls of High Point’s hallways are typically strewn with bulletin boards filled with some informational flyers. Occasional variations in color can be thanked to the beige, grey, and red lockers. The numbered doors lead the masses of traffic to their designated classes. School is an institution, but that does not mean that it should have to feel institutional. By spreading students’ art throughout the halls, students, teachers, and visitors alike can find an appreciation for the hard work and collaborative as well as individual efforts of the student body.
As long as the artwork exhibits high quality, it can be that of any student, not only to those currently taking an art class. After being approved by possibly a group of teachers who can delegate which pieces are appropriate, the student and teachers can together decide on a place to exhibit his/her work. Depending on how many students would take part in this along with whether or not students would want their work returned to them, a system can be planned in which after a certain amount of time, like a few weeks, the art would be brought down and replaced by another. Maybe some pieces could be made permanent with the permission of the student and approval of the school.
The spreading out of this artwork can help transform High Point from being just another institution to a place where a gathering of young adults’ thoughts and feelings are expressed through their creative talents. The displaying of students’ artwork can not only bring a sense of appreciation to its viewers, but also other emotions such as hope, motivation, or just a feeling of connection with the piece. If this idea should someday be met, then hopefully the pride of the students and teachers along with the appreciation of other viewers can go beyond the halls and out into the hearts and memories of all those involved.
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4 comments:
I'm going to comment on this later!
Nice job! I really like your argument and I think it's a great idea! So now on to fallacies, you mention that "school is an institution, but that does not mean it should have to feel instutional" which is using a hasty generalization to imply that all institutions are negative places. I also think that in describing the general characteristics of the school, "Occasional variations in color can be thanked to the beige, grey, and red lockers. The numbered doors lead the masses of traffic to their designated classes", you use a sentimental appeal. It seems like your saying that school is a very boring place and it is almost painfully bare of any ornamentation. Also you said that in order to be displayed a work of art must be 'high quality' but does this mean that only artwork made by the more talented students would be displayed?
Well, it seems you have caught me. Ha ha, wow, you would think that after being the one to present hasty generalizations in class that I would catch that, but honestly, until you pointed it out, I didn't even think of it (unfortunately for me). And, yes, to to the sentimental appeal as well, (but that one I kind of snuck in there purposefully to bring on a negative feeling so that there is a need for change, however, only pointing out the one side takes away from my argument or at least to those who can catch it). But, no, I did not mean that only more talented students' artwork would be displayed. Something of high quality often times shows the great effort put forth. Yes, it is true that someone's best effort in art can only extend so far as a stick figure, but, with the help of a few teachers who would be chosen for their understanding of art, it would be my hope that they can decide on which pieces would be best to display after careful judgement. Let's say for instance I wanted my artwork to be displayed. Now, I am by far not a "more talented student" when it comes to art. But, perhaps with some innovative thinking, I could create something unique that may not be technically difficult to do, but none the less still a high quality piece of art for its out of the ordinary idea. Sorry, I am trying to answer your question, but I am not sure I am being clear. What I am trying to say is all the students have an equal opportunity to be a part of this idea.
You write:
After being approved by possibly a group of teachers who can delegate which pieces are appropriate, the student and teachers can together decide on a place to exhibit his/her work.
Why just teachers? Since it is student art that is being displayed, perhaps include students in the panel of judges.
What should be the criteria for "appropriate" art? How were the currently displayed pieces selected?
Does High Point ever have an art fair, displaying student work?
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