The Marriotts Ridge Boosters and Art department recently installed a virtual art display in the front office. This new TV screen displaying artwork is available for everyone to see and showcases the MRHS art students’ hard work.
The entire MRHS community contributed to pulling off this display, from the students’ effort in creating their art and the boosters getting the funding for the TV display. It was a community-wide effort.
“Our booster’s parents were able to fund the TV and make that a display, but Mr. Hensley is the one who initiated it,” said Vice Principal Mr. Vandenberge.
AP art teacher Mr. Hensley had spent a significant amount of time putting this display together so everyone could appreciate the talents of the MRHS art community.
“I absolutely love it. I think it’s unbelievable that high school students are making art of such high caliber that it’s also personally meaningful. Not only the skill but also the passion and the drive they had to complete it is really good,” Hensley stated.
Many Art students at MRHS spent time and effort constructing their artwork, with some students finishing their pieces in a few days and others in a few months.
“I feel pretty good about my artwork, I like sharing my art with others. It took me about two months to complete everything, [because I had to add] different layers of acrylic and oil paint,” junior Diana Tagbo explained.
Other students with artwork displayed finished some of their pieces in a matter of a few days. No matter how long it took, the screen is always updated with the students new work.
The display is an exciting product representing many art students’ hard work and allowing them to gain recognition for their pieces and art style, allowing people a chance to see what the art department has been working on.
“We see what the sports and music programs are doing, but the art and photo stuff usually goes under the radar,” said senior Sarah Otto.
Many of these student pieces are expressive to the creator. They represent the artist’s environment, feelings, and thoughts to create a beautiful piece of art.
“I’m hoping that people start understanding that art is not just made in a bubble, that it’s made in the context of a school environment,” Mr. Hensley said.
Staff in the front office agree that the addition of the art display has received positive feedback from the MRHS community and visitors. Its prime location in the front office allows many people to view and recognize all the artwork.
“We enjoy it, parents enjoy it when they come in, we see a lot of talent in the students. I think it’s getting a lot of recognition, with parents coming in and out, teachers, everybody’s enjoying it. A lot of positive recognition and people always comment on what talent the students have,” front office secretary Mrs. Sealock shared.
Marriotts Ridge’s newest addition comes to the front office following the artwork addition to the art hallway, a much-awaited spotlight on the artwork the art department has been working on, showcasing many students’ hard work and bringing recognition to the talents of the Marriotts Ridge community.