A collage of pictures showcasing the personal journeys of its artists is on display at George Washington High School.
Last week, the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy set out to discover the personal journeys of some students and community members.
The office teamed up with George Washington High School to bring a personal journey-themed art display to the community school on May 30. It was part of an overarching effort to bring more art to community schools across the city. It is on display through June 6.
Students and community members were able to submit pictures that were formed together into a “quilt” and displayed in the school.
Many of the 24 featured pictures came from Alisha Hagelin’s art class.
“The students did some writing either about their experiences with immigration or their family, and if they didn’t have that experience, then just their families,” Hagelin said.
They created sketches and then completed them with watercolor techniques.
Student Emily Ho created a work about her experience being bullied for her native name. Her painting contained a lot of symbolism about the bullying
“I feel like, after the rain, you’re going to have a rainbow,” said Emily, who also thanked Hagelin for helping her with her English.
The reception also featured an Italian buffet tended by students of the culinary program. Next school year, the class will include an exchange student program where students will get to learn to cook in Italy for 10 days.
Junior Eboni Hoover decorated the cupcakes, taking care that each cupcake was given a different design.
“I always wanted to decorate cupcakes, and I was able to learn more in this class,” she said.
That wasn’t the only art being showcased. The Art Museum of Philadelphia recently created replicas of some of its works and displayed them around the city in an attempt to bring the art directly to the residents.
“We wanted to bring this world-renowned artwork into communities, but also show this artwork is worthy of their communities,” said Deborah Klose, director of arts education for the School District of Philadelphia.
After the displays were over, the replicas were given to different schools, and Principal Susan Thompson was able to claim six pieces to be displayed in one of the school’s main hallways.
The school plans to continue its relationship with the OACCE and hopes to put on another kind of show in the fall. ••
