SAM Supports MSHS Art Students
by Lauri Sturdivant
Photography by MSHS Arts teacher, Melody Shah
The 4th Annual Mount Shasta High School Art Show opened on March 8, 2024 and runs through May 3, 2025. MSHS Arts teacher, Melody Shah, holds a BA in art and an MA in Industrial Arts, exposing her students to a wide range of art making equipment and technique including laser cuts and digital printmaking. These kinds of creative experiences can open the imaginations of students that will last a lifetime.
The opening reception was packed with students, their families and 2nd Saturday arts enthusiasts. Red dots were plentiful as visitors supported emerging artists. The artwork included functional ceramics including cups and bowls of all colors, shapes and sizes, clever tea pots, salt and pepper shakers and whistles. Digital prints were available to purchase and take home.
Overlooking Sunsets by Kaylie Kobseff
Bedside on the Death of My Soul by Benjamin Aquirre
Benjamin Aquirre created a mini installation titled Bedside on the Death of My Soul. The claywork includes a sculpture of a crumpled paper with notes on it, too. I see this work as a visual representation of the struggles our youth deal with daily and this is why art matters.
As part of their arts lessons the students work with SAM’s Curator, Lindsay Hanely, and get to experience the hard work and challenges faced when hanging a show. This is a skill that can be taught in college courses and developed over years of experience and hard work.
The California Arts Council has found that, ‘Arts education is especially important in high school, when students are making important decisions about their future. Arts education can help students explore their interests and talents, and it can also help them develop the skills they need to succeed in college and the workforce.” Making art (all the arts, visual, literary and performing) in high school supports the developing skills in creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, while building self-esteem and discernment.
The MSHS students have put a lot of work and their personalities into the pieces in the show. It is a colorful representation of their skills and budding talents making it a delightful show to view. The work can be seen at SAM through May 3, 2025. SAM is open Wed-Sun 12-4pm
