Nine of our 12th grade students have been working diligently since the start of the 2019-2020 school year in their IB Visual Arts class. Last week, they completed their culminating project: their exhibition. Despite the additional stresses and struggles that the COVID 19 pandemic have presented, they have preserved to create truly inspiring and beautiful artworks. This week, the exhibition was viewed by students and staff alike, and everyone agrees that their work is phenomenal.

The IB Visual Arts course requires a rigorous amount of work. One required element is a portfolio which shows their artistic process, inspirations, and growth. Another is a comprehensive investigation into 3 artworks of the student's choice in relation to their formal qualities, cultural context, and function and purpose. The last, of course, is their exhibition. Students were required to create 7-10 pieces that show technical skill along with cohesive design and intent. Themes for individual collections ranged from personal culture, decay in nature, childhood versus adult outlooks on the world, political and racial issues, the contrast of history versus modern day, women in society today, greek art, ocean pollution, and breaking free from societal norms. Students created pieces using materials like oil paint, acrylic paint, cardboard, plaster, clay, felt, wool, plastic, printmaking, watercolors, photography, and mixed media.