By Mia Occhino ’23
The digital world is the space in which we are expanding our perception of art every day. COVID-19 forced a mass migration for creators of all mediums from displaying their art in physical spaces to almost exclusively on “the web,” an apt title considering the Internet’s increasingly dominant presence as the sole place to connect unlimited numbers of people all over the globe. We are trapped in a world where the online public sphere is inescapable. At all times, anyone with access to the Internet is free to consume, to share, and to criticize infinite media.
On a much smaller scale, schools have taken advantage of this shift to virtual communities by providing opportunities for students to share their work with their classmates, friends, and families with ease. BHS is now running a virtual art gallery, in which students are able to post the work they have created. The posted projects display an interesting variety of subject matter and range from abstract shape collages to landscapes to digital animations created by a Design Photoshop class. Additionally, the Resources page of the website features information about local art classes and events, art-related contests and competitions for students, and tutorials for painting and drawing techniques.
The site was created by Mr. Zachary Pelham of the BHS art department, who answered some questions about the new gallery.
Q: What intentions did you have in mind when creating the art gallery?
A: The intention with the new virtual art gallery is to share more student art. Traditionally, student artwork is shared in the hallways and in local art shows. But even under normal circumstances, those often have limited space and accessibility to the school community. Especially with the pandemic, seeing student art is very difficult. A virtual art gallery allows for more student work to be seen more easily by a larger audience. The second intention is to provide students with art-related resources while they are at home. The website has links to information about local museums and galleries, events, classes, contests, tutorials, and art schools. Many of these resources have virtual opportunities students can participate in while social distancing at home.
Q: Why do you think it is important to give students a place to share their art with others?
A: It’s important to provide opportunities for students to share their work with their community so that they can think about how their art communicates with an audience, and so that our school community can see the exciting and creative work being made by our students.
Q: How do you think the shift from physical to virtual spaces over the last year has impacted artists?
A: Unfortunately, the pandemic has impacted everyone in many very difficult ways, and one of them is that it is more difficult for artists of all ages to share their art. Virtual galleries aren’t the same as seeing art in person, but they can still be a fun, valuable, and safe way to engage with art.
Q: How have art classes been impacted by remote learning? Has it been difficult to coordinate students’ projects or artistic endeavors over Google Meet?
A: Like all classes, art classes have been impacted by remote learning. In particular, remote learning makes it difficult for many students to have access to as many art materials as they normally would, and it makes providing assistance difficult when teachers can’t physically touch the materials to show a student how to do something.
Q: In the future, how would you like to promote art to the students of BHS and reach students who may be unsure or uninterested in trying their hand at art?
A: I believe that art is for everyone, and that anyone who makes art is an artist. All are welcome in the art department and I think the more we showcase a variety of interesting student art the more students can see that this is something they can enjoy doing.
