Forty-one Schreiber High School students displayed various mixed-media paintings, taking their individual works to create a cohesive exhibit collectively known as the sustained investigation.
“The students get to see their efforts in a new way when their art is displayed publicly and collectively in the Student Atrium here at Schreiber,” AP art teacher Miranda Best said. “It’s truly meaningful for students to share their artwork with their classmates, the Schreiber community and their parents and family members in such a visible way. I enjoy seeing the students outside of the classroom, with their families and friends, celebrating their hard work and creativity.”
The exhibit “The Sustained Investigation: A Mixed Media Painting and Assorted Artworks” was displayed in the Student Atrium at Schreiber High School the night of Dec. 21.
Alongside the student’s mixed-media paintings were also self-portrait charcoal drawings featuring foreshortening, figure drawings, sketchbook work, printmaking and additional assortments of works.
The students are in Best’s Advanced Placement art class and worked on their art pieces for several weeks leading up to the exhibit, Best said.
“We are so proud of our AP Art students who have distinguished themselves in our art program,” director of creative arts Kevin Scully said. “Their skill and dedication is a testament to their hard work and creativity throughout their years in the Port Washington School District.”
The students’ work started by creating a guiding question for their artwork, which Best said is what “drives their sustained investigation” the exhibit displayed.
Seeking inspiration and guidance for their work, Best said the students also studied contemporary artists like Wengechi Mutu, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, and Fred Tomaselli who all used mixed media components in their artworks.
Equipped with their guiding question and art history research, the students were then able to take their art-making tools and begin on their canvas.
“They did research, planning and sketching,” Best said. “While painting with acrylic paints, students considered composition, color, mark making and the inclusion of a mixed media element that adds to the meaning of their work.”
What the students ended with was art Best said was a display of their hard work building up to their finished pieces.
“The final paintings created by the students are diverse and thoughtful, building on students’ prior skills and knowledge while working to develop new capacities for expression,” Best said.
