Not many students get a chance to display their artwork in a professional gallery. The Community High art department has had a history of giving students the opportunity to showcase their work around Ann Arbor. Currently, the Downtown Ann Arbor District Library is hosting artwork from Ann Arbor Public School students kindergarten through 12th grade. This annual exhibit has taken place for over 25 years in a collaboration between the AAPS art departments and the AADL. The exhibit is on display April 18 to May 29 during normal branch hours.
In addition to this exhibit, Community High students have had their work at the University of Michigan Slusser Gallery, the Washington Street Gallery, Youth Art Month, Potential at the Ann Arbor Art Center, and at Eastern Michigan University. Steve Coron, CHS Art teacher, believes showcasing art is the final step in the artistic process. “We get in the studio; we think about things; we make things and then we show them to others,” Coron said. “Rather than just have a kid take it home and put it on their refrigerator, we get to put it in a place where more people can see it.”
The art department’s motto since last year has been “All Art All the Time”, according to Coron, who is heavily involved in the organization of the exhibits. The art department aims to maximize opportunities to showcase artwork and art education to the community by planning exhibits throughout the entire school year. During a time when many schools districts are cutting back on art classes and teachers, Coron believes the exhibits advocate for the art department in the Ann Arbor Public Schools district. “The whole community can go to the library and see what we produce with kids and what kids are capable of doing. It really highlights and showcases our art education program in the public schools.” Since the exhibit is open to students kindergarten through 12th grade, artistic development through the art programs at school becomes evident in the show.
Debbie Park, a CHS dual-enrolled senior, has had her work showcased in many exhibits throughout high school. At the Washington Street Gallery, a commercial gallery, she sold a piece she created in an art class. “Our students had the opportunity to sell…and there were people interested in buying their work. That’s good because then students see a real world application for their work,” said Coron.
Listen to Steve Coron talk about the art exhibits:
steve clip
