Students from Santa Ana Opportunity, San Andreas Continuation
High and Pinnacles Community schools are coming together to show
their art work through April 25 at the YMCA of San Benito County,
339 Fifth St.
Students from Santa Ana Opportunity, San Andreas Continuation High and Pinnacles Community schools are coming together to show their art work through April 25 at the YMCA of San Benito County, 339 Fifth St.
The students’ work includes acrylic paintings, wood engravings and hand-made books. The books were part of a class unit in which about 12 students studied myths and wrote and illustrated one of their own, said Liz Casey, Santa Ana Opportunity School teacher.
Santa Ana Opportunity and Pinnacles Community schools teacher Barbara Noonan said the handmade books had to be combined with curriculum. It took the students three weeks to complete the books.
About 35 students in grades 8 through 12 are displaying their work. The acrylics feature landscapes, abstracts and still lifes, Casey said. Also, a reworking of a Diego Rivera mural, “The Agitator,” created by 10 different students will be displayed.
The three schools don’t offer as many elective classes as other schools, Casey said, so teachers try to combine art and music in their classes while fulfilling state content standards.
“We can’t offer these types of classes. Students are very responsive to art and visual things, so it’s a nice way to compliment (what else they’re learning),” Casey said.
Santa Ana eighth-grader Dustin Rist is entering at least one painting in the art show. He was painting a piece on canvas in class Friday morning and said he liked the freedom painting offers.
“You can do whatever you want. It doesn’t matter what you do,” Rist said.
Casey said the art show is about more than just displaying art.
“It’s a great tool. It develops discipline, self-esteem and respect,” she said. “The students are responsible for the pieces people see. They take it more seriously when they know it’ll be public.”
Students participating in the show also learn about themselves, Noonan said.
“They see how productive they can be. They see what great artists they are,” she said. “They’re contributing to the community. They see they have something special to offer.”
Casey and Noonan, both also professional artists, worked together on the show. Their background in arts has helped them combine it with the school’s curriculum.
For more information, call Casey at 636-8408.
