There was an air of elegance and sophistication permeating the lobby outside the OHS Performing Arts Center May 27 as people came to view imagination, talent and vision come to life at the annual Senior Art Show.
‘It actually turned out to be one of the best ones,? said Art Teacher Becky Ziemianski. ‘I couldn’t have been prouder. You never know until the very end if they’re going to pull it off and they never fail me.?
Nineteen seniors and five juniors from the Advance Drawing and Senior Studio classes exhibited their personal artwork derived from school assignments, summer enrichment programs and personal sketchbooks.
Each collection was designed to show the artist’s development over the years and in some cases, over the course of a young lifetime.
‘I think I even had kids who brought in work from kindergarten,? Ziemianski said.
How appropriate because, according to Ziemianski, this was the first set of Oxford students who have taken art classes since kindergarten. ‘In the past, they may not have had (art) until fifth grade or maybe not even until middle school,? she said.
Exposure to art at such a young age is one of the reasons Ziemianski believes this particular crop of students is so talented and passionate about their work.
‘I think it has really contributed to their respect for art and their understanding of what the potential is for careers in art,? she said. ‘I just think they’re going to be highly successful as artists. I must say this is an exceptional crowd and they are confident.?
Those attending the Senior Art Show were very pleased and impressed with what they saw. ‘I felt they couldn’t get enough,? Ziemianski said. ‘They wanted it to last all night.?
The caliber of the students? work combined with the audience’s reaction has motivated Ziemianski to expand the art shows for the 2008-09 school year.
‘Their encouragement has inspired me to have three art shows ? one for each semester next year,? she said.