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Arts & Entertainment

Art for the Teenage Soul

The St. Charles Arts Council hosted an open house for Timberland students' artwork.

Growing up, you might have had your favorite doodles stuck to the refrigerator. If you were lucky, your art teacher might have selected some of your in-class work to display on the hallway walls for all to see between classes. On January 13, Timberland High School upped the ante for its students, offering a reception for friends, family, and art lovers in general at the St. Charles County Arts Council, 7445 Village Center Drive in O'Fallon.

The walls of the Lillian Yahn Gallery were covered with pastels and paints, sketches of still-lifes, and plenty of portraits. In an anteroom offering refreshments, a variety of sculpture and pottery were placed in cabinets and on shelves. These students’ artistic styles varied from stark realism to emotional expressionism, their approaches ranging from simplistic and precise to the seemingly haphazard fall of large drops of watercolor. For anyone interested in the study of emotion in art, what better place to start than in high school?

While the whole idea of creating a professional exhibit for these students was new and inspiring to me (not just as a wannabe, but as a Missouri certified teacher), this was not the first time an event like this had taken place. “There was a group exhibition last year for high schools,” explained Crystal Wing, an art teacher from Timberland. This year, though, Timberland wanted its own show, though there were some scheduling difficulties to overcome. “We usually try to do it earlier in the month,” Wing said, “but with the weather and the holiday . . .  it made sense to do it later.”

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Though it took some juggling to pinpoint a range of dates for Timberland to secure the venue of the St. Charles County Arts Council, the benefits of an exclusive showing have outweighed any leftover frustration. This little corner of retail space occupied by the Arts Council was busy enough with visitors just from one high school. And don’t forget that more wall and shelf space means more work from more students. Instead of a section of wall dedicated to Timberland’s best of the best, more artists were extended the privilege of showcasing their work on a more professional level.

The art students were available throughout the night, milling about the limited exhibit space among browsers. “It’s . . . nice because the artists are here,” Wing said, but not just so the students could experience the satisfaction of another person admiring their work. “If anyone is interested in the piece, they can buy [it].” Not just an exhibition, but a sales gallery as well! What better way to introduce students to business and marketing than by immersion?

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If you’re interested in viewing the display yourself, visit the St. Charles County Arts Council in Winghaven between now and Jan. 30. Get a glimpse of the next Van Gogh, Picasso, or Jackson Pollock, or simply enjoy the vibrant talent of a young group of high school artists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 “High schoolers always know how to make you feel awkward”

 

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