Bursts of color from portraits, sculptures and naturalistic figures filled the Pelham Memorial High School library May 21 as the art department held its annual student display. Students in the Advanced Art and AP Art and Design courses showcased their pieces for peers and parents.
Students in AP Art and Design are allowed to select a theme of their choice for the portfolios submitted to the College Board in May.
“This year, I did happiness as my portfolio,” said Renee Ai, a senior in AP Art and Design. “Last year, mine was really sad. I wanted to paint happy things instead this time around.”
The process of choosing a theme for a portfolio is often a long.
“Initially, my portfolio was about reflection,” said junior Valerie Valerio. That became How Do Memories Impact One’s Identity? “I wanted to do something broader and more personal to my journey in life, so I kind of changed it in that way. It also gave me more ideas to work with.”
“This year, art gave me a way to showcase various emotions, moments and memories, bringing them to life,” said junior Layla Sehili. “Seeing everyone else’s art in the show gave me a lot of insight on the thought processes and emotions of my peers, which is beautiful.”
Art teachers were eager for students and parents to admire the hard work each artist put into their pieces.
“The student work impresses me more and more each year,” said Devon Fallon, who teaches AP Art and Design. “The group of artists this year were very strong, and they did a wonderful job at setting up their art for the show. I was really happy for them all and amazed by how great their work turned out in the end.”