Art students at Washougal High School and Jemtegaard Middle School are sharing their creativity by displaying their works for the community.
Last season selected student art began to be displayed at the WHS Blue Note Concert Series held regularly at the WHS Washburn Auditorium. This year, after the concerts, the pieces are moved to the Washougal School District office so that even more community members can experience and enjoy them.
“From what I understand from working with professional artists and institutions, artwork is not really considered complete until it has some sort of recognition or viewership,” said WHS art instructor, Evan Rumble. “It is important for my students, especially those who are interested in creative fields, to understand this power and responsibility.”
WSD staff have been asked to vote for their favorite pieces on display. The first artists recognized for exceptional artistic work are Conner Grant, a junior at WHS and Amara Farah, an eighth grade student at JMS.
The detail and creativity of Grant’s graphite illustration of an alien being caught the eyes of WSD staff. Grant said he pulled from his surroundings to create the fine details of his creature. “I looked at door handles, a watch and small things like bolts and computer chips,” he explained. Grant used a variety of drawing pencils to create various shading in the piece.
Having his art selected for this honor made Grant feel hopeful about his upcoming opportunities. “I think I have a very good future,” he said. “I am glad that people like my artwork.”
Farah was also delighted by the recognition. She created two pieces that were displayed, a watercolor landscape and a graphite self-portrait. “This award makes me want to help encourage and inspire others to share their art too,” Farah said. “Art is my escape, and it is how I show my emotions. I feel so special, thank you!”
Sharing student art with the community is an important step for these artists as well as those who view it. Rumble believes that from the moment an artwork becomes viewable by the public, every single individual who encounters it takes on a bit of ownership, creating an opinion as they analyze the work.
“Once a project is ‘released into the world,’ that work is no longer wholly owned by the maker of it. Viewers each develop their own meaning as they begin to understand the work from their personal frame of reference,” he said. “And I believe that as each onlooker experiences an artwork they are consequentially strengthening their abilities to empathize.”
Rumble goes on to explain that when student-artists have their work recognized, these students learn to share and communicate a portion of themselves with the community in which they live while the community can understand and appreciate the interpretations of its youthful creatives.
“I strongly believe that communities that have established a value for art are prosperous, resilient, and united,” Rumble said.
