Annual Art Show Highlights PB’s Diverse Talents

McKenzie Perrow, Staff writer

Only one place in the Burtonsville area contains beautiful and inspiring artwork from the most-talented youth in the community: the Paint Branch Art Show. Hosted by the art department, the art show ran for two days for all students, faculty and community members to enjoy. From charcoal to acrylics, from clay to print, the art show’s array of pieces reflected the true abilities of all art students this year. Featured classes included Foundations of Art, Ceramics, Photography, Digital Art and Studio Art all of which supplied creative pieces oozing with talent.

With just one look at the window displays and murals hung around school, one can obviously see the talent the PB community has within the art department. The art show proved even more just how strong these student-artists are. Show planning was in the works since the very beginning of the school year and encompassed pieces from any point in time between the beginning of the year through the start of fourth quarter. The hard work and dedication of the students showed in the hundreds of pieces lining the walkways of the main hall by the office and running past the Grand Staircase.

AP art students had a chance to be especially recognized for their work – as they do every year – with their very own panel consisting of the pieces they were most proud of from their artistic career.
“It’s not easy being in AP,” studio art student Brandon White revealed. “Seeing your pieces all together on the panel with your name on it really makes you feel like it’s over and you crossed the finish line.”
The AP seniors worked especially hard this year since the art show, AP exam submission and prom all fell within the same week. AP photography student Seth Cushman commented that “It was very stressful. Not only did we have to worry about the art show and AP submission, but also exams and maintaining our regular classes as well.”

In the after school presentation of the art show, spectators had the opportunity to see a live demonstration of spinning a clay pot, which was conducted by students of Ms. Norris’s ceramics class. Another highlight of the show, as well as one of the biggest pieces hosted in the show, was a collage of individual pieces made by multiple students of a class combined to make one big montage.
Although all of the pieces were created and thought of separately, the final product came together beautifully. Like this curated piece, the art show presented hundreds of individual artist and portrayed a sense of unity through the arts. This school year specifically, the theme of unity has been heavily encouraged and, with the PB art show, it’s definition was accurately portrayed.