Local art paints a picture of community
Art is all around, provoking not only thought and emotion, but also fostering community. In Newbury Park, local artists have unique opportunities to display their talents, and on campus, art takes form in a multitude of ways. Newbury Park High School [NPHS] students can foster their love for art or explore a new passion by taking one of the school’s numerous visual and performing arts courses, such as life drawing, choir, theatre and photography.
In the NPHS art department, exposure is not just a camera setting. Eric Lindroth has been teaching at NPHS for 23 years and has watched the power photography holds in students’ lives. The Photography 1-2 and AP Photography courses provide students with the opportunity to share their art with the world through the Ventura County Art Show, along with the NPHS Art Show on campus. Lindroth believes that photography differs from other classes because of the accomplishments students achieve. “Maybe [students will] keep their math problems, but that piece of art actually [will] be something they’ll keep for a long time, hanging up in their house,” Lindroth said. Along with expression, photography contributes to communication between students. “I think it’s one of the greatest communicators across the world, because you don’t have to understand a language to look at the photo and understand a photo,” Lindroth said. Lindroth notes that photography is unique from the typical classes offered at school, where there is no problem to solve or answer to derive. “It’s a forum for us where students [know] there’s not one answer. Students have a lot more freedom of expression with art,” Lindroth said.
Art is easy to learn but hard to master. However, in the NPHS art department, everyone makes their mark. From teaching the basics of painting to the intricacy of sketching, Jennifer Lee, NPHS art teacher, fosters the art of students at all levels. NPHS offers a wide range of art classes, beginning with Art Media, an introductory art class, and spanning to International Baccalaureate [IB] Art II, the highest level of art classes available.“[The most fulfilling part about being an art teacher] is having students kind of see that art isn’t a natural talent that you have; it’s something that you should work towards and grow with,” Lee said.
Starting at a young age, Annabelle Shannon, junior, has expressed herself through the arts. Shannon has been involved in choir and theater at NPHS, which she believes go hand in hand, for the entirety of her high school career. “My art allows me to express myself. I always know I can go [to art], to that area of singing or dancing, and I really can express myself rather than being trapped in my own ideas,” Shannon said. Shannon, being a lifelong dancer and having plans to continue dancing throughout college, enjoys the physical aspects of the sport along with the artistic aspects. “Artistically, I love being able to express different emotions and storylines through movement. Especially in non-classical styles, I enjoy letting loose and escaping from reality,” Shannon said.
A photo is worth a thousand words, and NPHS art teacher Eric Lindroth understands this well. “Photographs are a quintessential part of our lives. It’s one of the greatest communicators across the world, because you don’t have to understand a language to look at the photo, or to understand a photo,” Lindroth said.
There are many available ways for students to get involved and showcase artistic abilities. “We participate in upcoming events [such as] the Ventura County student art show… [People] ages 14 to 26 will be entering and also will be entering a local contest—Westlake Village Arts Guild,” Lindroth said.
The “big picture” of the NPHS art department are the endless possibilities of learning through the creative lens of art. Jennifer Lee, NPHS art teacher, sees art as a unique opportunity that should be treated as a skill to cultivate. “[Students should take art classes because it is] one of the few opportunities they have to do art because if they don’t do it now, they might never get the opportunity.” Lee said.
Annie Shannon, junior, rehearses for NPHS Theater Department’s “Once Upon a Mattress.” “I am able to express my acting skills through dance and singing and then I can truly present the character and have fun with it,” Shannon said.
