Every March since 1973, the city of Bloomington has observed Youth Art Month, an event where the community can view student artwork in a professional gallery setting. This year, South students’ art will be displayed at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center. There are several arts classes available at South in the B-Wing: printmaking, ceramics, photography, drawing, painting, jewelry, and stained glass. Sophomore Eli Chafin has taken five of these courses, and is currently taking photography class.
“I have a couple of portraits drawn in pencil and an abstract acrylic painting on display,” he said.
Chafin’s art is among nearly 100 pieces of artwork created by South students, submitted for the gallery by their teachers. Cindy Leistikow, who has been teaching painting and drawing at South for 11 years, submitted several student pieces.
“The work that my students have done, the work that I’ve witnessed… is just incredible and to give [them] that opportunity to exhibit it in a professional space….for members of the community to see…is just amazing,” she said.
Senior Clare Mattsson, like Chafin, has spent much of her time in the B-Wing classrooms. Among the artwork at the Waldron are ink drawings, photographs, and stained glass pieces created by Mattsson.
“Art is a venue for creativity; it’s a way of realizing visions,” she said.
Chafin agrees, saying that art classes “offer a chance to explore new skills and creative outlets.”
Students and community members interested in seeing all the student artwork on display can do so from February 28th to March 25th at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center, located at 122 S Walnut St. There will be an opening reception on Friday, March 5th beginning at 5 p.m.
