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Art Club 'Goghs' the Distance
Art Club 'Goghs' the Distance
By Alice Swanson (Tribal Spirit Magazine)
For the first time in many years, Art Club is back and coming for the “Monet."
Art Club is run by senior/president Emma Suttee and sponsor/art teacher Carly Anderson. They participate in all things art, anything ranging from tie-dying and screen printing their own club tee shirts, to making Raku clay pinch pots.
“I’ve always been interested in having an art club, and it was going to happen at any school I was going to be at,” Anderson said.
Art Club offers an artistic escape from the normalities of everyday life as well as enriching growth to the artists participating.
Anderson said she enjoys being able to have Art Club because it offers a different environment to pursue art.
“I do enjoy seeing kids excited to come to come in and do art,” Anderson said. “I like to see what they come up with."
Despite students thinking you have to be a bona fide Picasso to attend Art Club, Anderson and other members say otherwise.
“You don’t have to be in any art classes or even good at art. You just have to have a passion for it,” Anderson said.
Suttee said for most of her life, she’s been involved with art, and it has always been something she has appreciated and valued.
“I felt that having the opportunity to be around other unique and creative individuals would benefit my own artistic growth,” Suttee said. “Also, I love encouraging others to embrace art and Art Club created the platform to raise artistic interest.”
She said Art Club is a wonderful outlet for anyone who is looking to express themselves in a new and unique way and is recommended to anyone who wants to try to unlock their hidden artistic skills.
“To me, art is any form of creativity and expression. Art is a way to speak without words - it isn’t just pretty - art can tell a story or send a message,” Suttee said. “Artistic communication creates an emotional response between the artist, her piece, and her audience. One piece can be interpreted in a million different ways, yet connects an audience through everyone’s appreciation for the piece.”
Art Club has recently been commissioned to paint a mural for the city of Willard. The mural will feature the history of Willard from its beginnings in 1884 and be placed on the wall just opposite of Pizano’s.
“I hope the mural project will serve as a way to bring the Willard community together by allowing everyone to embrace our home as a colorful place while bringing some life to Willard’s walls,” Suttee said. “The mural represents our history and success, establishing a foundation for Willard's identity.”
Anderson said she knows the mural is a tough deal.
“They’re working through it. It’s not the regular type of art that we have all agreed to do. It’s a commission piece,” Anderson said. “However, I’ve seen their work. They’re talented kids, and I know they can get through it with an amazing outcome.”
The mural completion date is still to be determined as of press time.