“It is nice to be validated and it’s nice for people to see what I made,” Baldwin Park High School senior Sadie Wilson said. “I’ve taken art classes since sophomore year and this is my first year in ceramics. I like that ceramics allows me to be creative and think outside the box.”
Oil, pastel, ink, charcoal, watercolor and computer-generated graphics were among the materials used to create the illustrated works. Colorful ceramic pieces demonstrated mastery of working in multi-dimensional forms, with images that ranged from a car and dragon to a cat and classic “The Nightmare Before Christmas” characters.
Canvases etc. is open through May 20. A special reception was held on April 11, where students, families, educators and administrators browsed the diverse selection and participated in a scavenger hunt to find key pieces.
“It is important for students to experience a gallery setting and to see how fabulous their artwork looks in a professional environment,” BPHS ceramics teacher Jane Altenau said. “Any kind of arts instruction helps students with other core subjects because it nurtures a passion for learning.”
Nine ceramic students also had their clay-creations on display for the American Museum of Ceramic Art’s (AMOCA) 2019 SoCal High School Ceramic Exhibition, which is open through May 26. The ceramic exhibition provides art-exposure for emerging artists.