An entirely student-curated art exhibition advocating for the environment will be displayed in the library beginning March 19, marking the first day of spring. The exhibition, titled “What Will Remain,” features art from students ranging from sophomores to seniors.
“I wanted [the exhibition] to be something that everybody could be proud of,” Isabela Iglesias, junior and exhibit curator, said. “There were some pieces that already existed, particularly one by Max Hunter, [titled] ‘The Plasticity of Empathy’ that helped to inspire this exhibition.”
The art featured in the exhibition includes pieces in various mediums, including paintings, fashion designs, and digital art. However, all of the pieces relate back to the exhibit’s message of environmental preservation issues.
“I have learned a lot about how everyone really sees climate change, especially among the artists and how prevalent [this theme] already was,” Iglesias said. “That proved to me that this was absolutely a subject worth putting a bit of a show for.”
A total of eight artists contributed various pieces to the exhibition. Although some pieces were pre-existing, other pieces such as a painting by junior Lauren Hogue, were made especially for this exhibition.
“Art is a constant in our society. It’s something all people can see, make, and experience so why not promote a message that way,” Hogue said. “I want to leave viewers [with] that feeling of unease about global warming and the claustrophobia it gives you about the future. Not to scare anyone but to spark a realization.”
The exhibition will be on display for the next two weeks and the art will be arranged on the library shelves for library attendees and the school body to observe and be inspired to take action.
“Spreading awareness through art is a helpful way to show people different perspectives and a good tool for many to think with more compassion and empathy about big challenges around us,” sophomore and contributing artist Teddy Pereira said. “I think it might push them to be kinder to our earth. It might make people more aware of what is going on around us and what we can do to change.”
According to a 2013 study, visuals of climate change can successfully capture people’s attention and drive a sense of empowerment. Inspired by this fact, the art exhibit was curated to encourage teens to advocate for the environment.
“A lot of times younger minds are shooed away because they’re young and they don’t have as much experience as other people, but it’s important to see things from their view,” Storm Guillory, sophomore and contributing artist, said. “Looking to not just professionals, but minds everywhere, especially younger minds, can be really helpful to solving [environmental] issues. It might not necessarily be the answer, but it could be a step in the right direction”
