High School Art Exhibition Delivers

The art gallery is hosting a unique art exhibition. All the artists are 18 or under. The annual show features about 90 works by and School students. All Benicia city high school students are welcome to submit work which is juried by instructors. 

The show includes paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, digital art, graphic art, photography, cartooning, mobiles and animated films. The work is full of intriguing imagery, some seeming too deep for kids their age. The original ideas demonstrate the passion, maturity and self-awareness of the students.

Benicia High offers an impressive visual arts program that provides a challenging and diverse curriculum, which is reflected in the variety and quality of the work. The work of Christine Chu's students at Liberty High, is further evidence of a quality visual arts education.

Bob Muzzy, a BHS instructor, has been teaching animation and graphic design for over a decade, as well as ceramics. “Students who have graduated from these programs have continued their studies...,” says Muzzy. “Some of these schools include Sacramento State University, Art Institute in Sacramento, Academy of Art in San Francisco, and Expression College for Digital Arts.”

Not all art students plan to pursue an art career but do benefit in valuable confidence building and the chance to discover their own creativity. A significant amount of special education and autistic students succeed in art courses.

BHS has 26 visual and performing art courses including, drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, architectural design, animation, dance and theatre. The school has four visual art teachers, which is rare. Somehow the Benicia school district has found a way to keep art education alive, where other districts are cutting. “It's a testament to this community,” says teacher Maya Nelson. Not all expenses are covered, so family support through donations has been crucial “We could not do it without the parents,” explains Nelson.

To graduate, BHS students must have one year of fine art, performing art or foreign language. “The kids like art,” says Nelson. “When we have a student structured masters schedule, they want to take classes. They are choosing their classes for next year right now. They really want to build upon what they have already started learning.”

 Nelson teaches a one-semester course for freshmen as an introduction to art, which attracts students in to advanced classes. From there, teachers help students determine what medium suits them best. Photographers may move on to film making whereas tactile hands-on types go for sculpture.

BHS teacher Matt O’Reilly, 28, graduated from Benicia High and now teaches graphic design, ceramics, and film production and values the student art show. “It's one of the only chances that kids have to show their work to the community.  What better place than the public library.”

Advanced art students help each other and collaborate, with some students studying art throughout high school. Sean Thompson teaches Art 2, Advanced Placement Art and sculpture at Benicia High.  Emmalyn Trignali, a senior, has been Thompson's student for four years. Her stunning 4'x4' painting of a peacock feather beautifully shows off her skill. Last year Trignali exhibited work at downtown. “Shes done some amazing work. Her parents are really excited about what she's done,” says Nelson.

Some of the subjects are personal, like Anna Schuplinsky's Mi Famalia. “Art is a way to express my feelings and my art expresses the most wonderful and memorable moments in my life,” says Schuplinsky. Other provocative pieces are The Truth, by Emily Villarea, Reaching for Ideas by Asti Stults and Night of Jaden and Luna by Alura Warren-Jones.

Nelson points out that the education doesn't end in the classroom. “Kids get to put the show up with us, they learned how to put a show together so they know what goes in to it. They hammer, measure and put it all up, it's really fun to see them help be a part of the show itself.” Nelson adds,“We are so lucky to teach things that we really love to do.”

Student films and animation will be shown at the public opening reception on Wednesday March 10th from 7pm – 8pm, at the Benicia Library Gallery.