LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – As the winter season is upon us, the expression of creativity is upon LAHS. Last week, students of all artistic talents were invited to submit and display their works in the Griffin Gallery for a two-day Winter Art Show.
On Thursday, Dec. 5, the Winter Art Show opened its doors during lunch and that same day after school at 4:30 p.m. for an evening reception. Guests were able take in inspiration from and appreciate the unique pieces made by students. A wide variety of art, ranging from clay work to paintings and sketches, was displayed, so there was something for everyone to enjoy. During the reception, two students were even invited to play live music in the space, providing a calming ambiance.
“Our school is full of so many talented people (and) we have so many hardworking students, that it is nice to have an environment that they connect to and have a chance to share all of their hard work and efforts with the rest of the community,” said Mrs. Crutchfield, the LAHS drawing and painting teacher.
Many talented ceramicists jumped upon this opportunity to display their works and their unique forms and colors. Many of the ceramics pieces were made following an “under the sea” theme that depicted various sea creatures. The varied pieces brought a unique twist to the gallery by showcasing both 2D and 3D works of art.
Students in the drawing and painting classes were encouraged to showcase their class projects, including realism portraits, printmaking-style abstraction paintings, and other various student-submitted paintings of different sizes, colors, and themes, within the gallery. Additionally, students submitted digital artwork comprised of their own photos with added touches of their artistic style.
On top of this variety of photography students also showcased their work from class projects highlighting the differences in shutter speeds and range of motion Also displayed within the gallery were personal pictures taken using different artistic compositions, editing and themes.
“I like seeing my photos in the gallery and I think it’s cool to see all the inspiration that people have. I enjoy seeing how creative other people can be,” said Melia Rafuse, a sophomore.
Students from the 3D design classes also participated in the art gallery, displaying jewelry pieces created from metalworking techniques. It was refreshing to see, through the 3D works displayed in the art gallery, how multimedia can come together in one place under creativity and expression.
“I think exhibiting student work helps us to see things from other people’s perspectives at all times and people that we may know a little or a lot have this other side to them and this way of thinking and problem solving that they can complete through their art or through art class tasks, so when you show that its sometimes overwhelming or surprising, it causes a reaction to each person that comes in and takes a look,” said Mrs. Butler, a Griffin Gallery assistant.
By letting art students from all different classes showcase their work in the gallery, the LAHS community has been able to see the collaborative work and the many talents of Griffins. With its inviting atmosphere, the Winter Art Show has allowed both artists and art appreciators alike to come together and recognize the creative minds of LAHS students.
