Not Just a Pretty Wall
Sports, band, Model UN, and SCOPE: what do all of these things have in common? The answer is actually quite simple. All of these activities and clubs attract the attention of the student body.
But there are other components that make Bishop Allen the vibrant school it is. One of the first things that comes to mind is the visual arts program. Over the years, the senior visual arts students have added to the artwork that covers the school walls.
The students at Bishop Allen put a lot of effort into their creations. Weeks were spent designing and painting the beautiful murals that decorate the school today. The process of outlining and decorating the walls of the building is lengthy, involving multiple steps and levels of planning.
"We had to come up with a concept, make a sketch, and then edit the image," explains Katalin Groe, one of the painters of the middle mural depicting a mermaid. "All of that was before needing to prime the wall, sketching the outline onto the wall, applying a base coat and then adding final details."
Many artists display their art, not only for themselves, but to communicate hidden messages and emotions for others, in the form of paintings, drawings, and even sculptures.
"We want it to remind people that they don't have to outgrow their childhood," says Kimberly Fletcher, the other creator of the middle painting, "They can reinvent it and keep it in their lives. Plus, nobody is ever too old for Disney."
Artists also encounter certain challenges during their work process. Along with having to think up a completely original concept and bring it to life, there are other obstacles they have to overcome.
"There was a really tight time restraint," note Emma Oliveira and Iva Skoko, both of whom collaborated to paint the piece displaying a girl falling from the sky, "People passing in the halls were also very distracting, especially when our friends would come to chat with us during lunch."
Yet, despite all of these complications and difficulties, the student artists managed to complete the many masterpieces that adorn the halls we hurry through each day. They sacrificed many hours to convey messages and sentiments, as well as contribute to the school community.
So the next time you're rushing through the hallways in an effort to get to your next class, take a moment to stop and appreciate some of the art that surrounds you. Take time to admire the creativity of the artists and the stories behind their paintings.
Art may not be as popular as DECA or the football team, but it is definitely something to look at—and who knows? It may even have something to say.
