Opinion
AHS needs student art gallery
By Aliyah Fayaz
Aitkin High School is lacking artwork around the school and it’s making school feel unwelcoming.
As a student who loves art and has a real passion for it, I think we need to put more effort into putting more artwork up. AHS is lacking artwork because there has been no one to direct where art can be hung. A few years back the school repainted the walls along with other remodels like adding more showcases for sports, which decreased the space for artwork to be hung up. Although it’s good that we have more showcases, it may feel intimidating to students that aren’t in sports because they may not have something to relate to, or to get inspiration from. “When you’re somewhere you don’t really want to be and you see artwork, it just makes you more comfortable,” said Mrs. Meirose, the art teacher of AHS. "Having more artwork may help students, especially the younger students, feel like they fit in or give them inspiration to do things that they want to do."
When walking through the halls of AHS all I see is a plain gray wall with a few posters here and there but no artwork from the student body. Artwork is a way of expressing yourself and it also can be used to bring awareness to things that go on in the world. Having artwork around the school would brighten up the place and just give students something to look at when walking to their next class.
If the school could come up with a solution that would promote more artwork it would make school feel more welcoming. One idea is to have a gallery for students and faculty to walk around in and to admire the artwork. The gallery could be a designated room just for art. Another idea would be an "Artist" or "Artists of the month" where any student could create anything they want (with permission and if it’s appropriate). Judges could decide the best one or the best three for example, which would get hung up on the wall and be there for the month.
There would also have to be someone who directs what is appropriate for the school. The idea is that there could be the same judges throughout the school year or the judges can change every month. For example, one member from student council, one member from FFA, and one member from yearbook, along with a director to decide what artwork can be hung up on the walls. I think if we’re able to at least put more artwork up on the walls, it could also help with promoting sports or other activities.
Aitkin High School is lacking artwork around the school and it’s making school feel unwelcoming.
As a student who loves art and has a real passion for it, I think we need to put more effort into putting more artwork up. AHS is lacking artwork because there has been no one to direct where art can be hung. A few years back the school repainted the walls along with other remodels like adding more showcases for sports, which decreased the space for artwork to be hung up. Although it’s good that we have more showcases, it may feel intimidating to students that aren’t in sports because they may not have something to relate to, or to get inspiration from. “When you’re somewhere you don’t really want to be and you see artwork, it just makes you more comfortable,” said Mrs. Meirose, the art teacher of AHS. "Having more artwork may help students, especially the younger students, feel like they fit in or give them inspiration to do things that they want to do."
When walking through the halls of AHS all I see is a plain gray wall with a few posters here and there but no artwork from the student body. Artwork is a way of expressing yourself and it also can be used to bring awareness to things that go on in the world. Having artwork around the school would brighten up the place and just give students something to look at when walking to their next class.
If the school could come up with a solution that would promote more artwork it would make school feel more welcoming. One idea is to have a gallery for students and faculty to walk around in and to admire the artwork. The gallery could be a designated room just for art. Another idea would be an "Artist" or "Artists of the month" where any student could create anything they want (with permission and if it’s appropriate). Judges could decide the best one or the best three for example, which would get hung up on the wall and be there for the month.
There would also have to be someone who directs what is appropriate for the school. The idea is that there could be the same judges throughout the school year or the judges can change every month. For example, one member from student council, one member from FFA, and one member from yearbook, along with a director to decide what artwork can be hung up on the walls. I think if we’re able to at least put more artwork up on the walls, it could also help with promoting sports or other activities.