The historic walls of Abbot Hall came alive last Thursday as hundreds of guests gathered for the opening reception of Marblehead High and Veterans School Spring Art Exhibition.
The exhibition featured nearly 400 pieces of art made by students from grades 7 to 12. Students explored diverse artistic mediums through their work, including oil and water color paintings, sculpture, collage, photography, architectural design and video production. Seniors had the option to showcase pieces from all four years of high school in celebration of their artistic growth.
“Be inspired by the boundless creativity of our students,” Computer Aided Design and Architecture teacher Hunter Proulx said in an address to the crowd.
At the opening, students and family members chatted while admiring the art and enjoying snacks and refreshments provided by Shubies, Crosby’s and Marblehead House of Pizza.
Senior project students Maeve Maccallum, Lilah Greten, Noa Brochstein, Birdie Cohen and Serena Nyberg spent weeks curating the show. Working side-by-side, the five seniors meticulously organized the art pieces and carefully considered where to place each one to create a cohesive visual flow. Leading up to the event, they spent hours chatting and hanging up art in Abbot Hall.
“Seeing all the artwork, you really appreciate what everyone can do,” Maccallum said.
Cohen said that curating the show helped her appreciate how much thought goes into deciding what goes where in an exhibit. She said the process took a lot of organization and communication, adding that it helped that they were all close friends.
Having seen her art presented at the exhibition throughout high school, Nyberg said she felt it was “important” that she give back and help curate the event as a senior.
Nyberg’s art is featured prominently on the back wall of the exhibit. One of her oil paintings features a portrait of a girl on a laptop screen. Half of her face is obscured by shadow and branches from a flowering tree in the background pierce through the laptop screen. Another features a girl curled into a fetal position with branches and leaves ensnaring her body, as if to cradle, or maybe consume her.
“Humans come from nature, but with technology, we have created this disconnect with nature,” Nyberg said.
Her work was inspired by the idea of “humans versus nature,” and how technology is destroying nature in many ways, she said. Nyberg received an award of excellence from the art department for her exemplary work.
As did senior Luna Velandry, whose oil on canvas painting stands alone on an easel. The painting features a long-haired woman wearing a white gown. She sits on a beach in a pensive stance framed by an arch of clouds and golden doves.
Velandry’s work is heavily inspired by Renaissance art and Greco Roman scripture, as evidenced by the contrast between light and darkness in the painting and the detailed drapery of the woman’s dress.
“I love having our work here. It’s a moment to show and appreciate the culmination of all the hard work,” Velandry said.
Velandry also debuted a golden bust of a woman, one of the many standout sculptures featured at this year’s exhibition. It was her first time working with clay, and it took her almost the whole year to complete the bust.
“Students don’t know their potential until they’re shown it,” said Drawing, Painting and Art Studio teacher Shirley Huller, who has taught Nyberg and Velandry since they were freshmen. “It’s very satisfying and fulfilling as a teacher to see them celebrating their work.”
Senior Matias Watts Cruz presented his film “R. Stuntsman” about twin brother stunt men. The film had a surreal feeling that Watts Cruz said was “weird but worked.”
Nate Jendrysik, who played both twins in the film, said he “loved” working on the project with his friend. The scripting process was difficult, he said, but the film came together in the end.
“I love that we get to see everyone else’s stuff,” Watts Cruz said. “There’s a whole bunch of art that I’ve seen and a lot I haven’t seen.”
Senior (and Current photographer and reporter) Grey Collins presented three photographs from his junior and senior year at the event. His photos explore breathtaking natural landscapes: a crisp shot of snowcapped Mount Rainier, a pensive photo of trees blanketed in mist and reflected in a glassy lake, and a surreal shot of a cellphone tower set against an aurora-like gradient. Collins also received an award from the art department for excellence in photography.
“After four years working hard, learning and getting to know myself better, it honestly feels so good to see my work here. It feels incredible,” Collins said.
Senior Alex Humphreys showcased photography at the event. One of his photographs is dream-like and stark, featuring a boy atop a bus with stars shining amidst a dark sky. He took the photo on his iPhone at a slow shutter speed, so the silhouette of the boy is doubled.
“We are incredibly proud of all the work that went into the show and of the amazing artwork our students created,” Photography and Graphic Design teacher Leah Bordeiri said.
The exhibition will remain open at Abbot Hall until May 27.
