Ink.

Paint.

Paper.

Collage.

In bustling art classrooms, art I students worked tirelessly to perfect their various pieces for the big showcase. 

On Jan. 17, 2025, the staff and students of the art I program presented their very own showcase at the Performing Arts Center.

“[The] showcase highlights what our art I students [have been] working on in their classes specifically,” art I teacher Caroline Hebler said. “They’ve been working all year on growing their skills. There’s some really gorgeous pieces in there.”

The event celebrated the work of more than 200 students. Since art I students are new to the  department, they were recognized separately from the senior level art students.  

“It [was] my first time [having my artwork exhibited],” art I student and sophomore Angela Zhou said. “The most that I’ve gotten my art displayed is online, where I do it for fun on Instagram. My Instagram is private, so only my friends can see it, but for the art show, everyone gets to see it and I think [that’s] cool. I get to show a more professional look, because most of my art that I post on Instagram [is] funny and silly, they’re like doodles. But for the art show, I actually [took] a lot of time to finalize and finish [my animal graphite].” 

Students volunteered for their work to be exhibited. However, teachers also picked some pieces that they saw as particularly strong. 

“Since I knew people were [going to] see it, it made me want to work harder,” art I student and senior Malachi Tinnel said. “I would even stay after school to work on my pieces. It takes time and persistence to make good art.”

The pieces displayed varied from colored pencil drawings to soft sculpture and paintings. Different techniques and skills were presented in their work, such as value, texture and depth. 

“I have two pieces [in the showcase],” Zhou said. “One was an animal graphite of my friend’s dog. It was for an assignment, but it just came out looking really good, so [I thought] it would be cool if I could showcase it.” 

The artwork is collaborative between the student and the teacher. The artists work on them in class while the teachers critique certain aspects of the work that could improve or start conversations about the student’s intention. 

“As someone who is self-taught at art, it’s nice to hear critiques from someone professional,” Zhou said. “With teachers, they see things that I don’t normally see, especially stuff that I choose to avoid or ignore, like lighting and stuff.”

Some art I students came into the year without having been in an art class since elementary. These students’ growth are recorded in the work at the showcase.

“I hope people [saw] how amazing their kids are, or their peers are, or they are,” Hebler said. “I want our students to see their work and be able to take pride in what they accomplished.”

For students like Tinnel, the showcase is also a way to demonstrate their artistic journey.

“[This showcase] meant so much to me,” Tinnel said. “I’ve been waiting [for] years to have my painting displayed because I want to show everyone how much effort I put into everything.”

The students who participated in this showcase could gain the confidence to apply for the later shows representing Allen, including the competitive ones. 

“I think it’s really important for students who are new to art to get to see how it feels to have their work displayed and admired by the public and their families and each other,” Hebler said. “It’s a really amazing thing we were able to do for students.”