For the first time ever, Esperanza Academy will get their own solo show and have the entire Helen Millard Children’s Gallery at the Woodmere Art Museum dedicated to their amazing artwork.
Art: Education, Observation, Actualization features selected works from the high school visual arts majors produced during the 2013-2014 academic year. It chronicles the growth of students’ technical and conceptual art-making skills as they progress through the high school visual arts major. The show highlights work created in a variety of media, from charcoal self-portraits to mixed media social activism monoprints.
Esperanza Academy Art Teacher Zafka Banks-Christensen has done an extraordinary job in honing her students’ talents as well as promoting their work. “It’s an amazing opportunity I didn’t have when I was in high school, having a show professionally curated,” said Christensen, “It’s important [for the students] to get that validation from someone other than those who know and care about them.”
Some art featured in the show come from the Advanced Placement Art class
Botanical Illustration Watercolor
(click to englarge)
“It was challenging, but you always have to build your skills,” said Brian Cruz, a senior at Esperanza Academy showing his work at the show, “I like the challenge, and I’ve been drawing since I was young.”
Vanitas Still Life Charcoal
Fledgling artist Yarilenis Estevez recounted when she first started art classes at Esperanza Academy, not knowing how to draw to her skill level now, “I can’t believe that I did it. It’s pretty cool to look at your art and know you did that.”
Vanitas Still Life Charcoal
“I want to go to college for Art,” said senior Shakira Rijos, “We learn from the world through Art… and how to express through drawing.”
Graphic Narrative Portraits Ink and Watercolor
Carlos Corredor created the graphic piece of Malcom X featured here. “My mom saw him and was able to feel the emotion of what he was going through for his people,” Corredor said, “[Art] allows me to show who I am and what I’m passionate about.”
This group of exceptional students is something to be proud of. We encourage all community members to show your support for local Latino youth art and attend a reception in their honor on October 5th, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, at the Woodmere Art Museum. The show runs until October 19th. Don’t miss it.
Art: Education, Observation, Actualization
Woodmere Art Museum
9201 Germantown Ave
August 31st – October 19th, 2014
Reception: Sunday, October 5th 2-4 pm