The students of Dawson County High School have been getting in touch with their inner child to create artworks for their upcoming winter art show.
High school and junior high students have been thinking back to the playfulness, joys, dreams and creativity from their childhoods in order to create pieces that will be on display during the first full week of December in the new Performing Arts Center at DCHS.
The show, entitled “Dreamland,” is inspired by children’s lives and perspectives according to DCHS art teacher Jennifer Gray.
“I hope viewers will be inspired by a young mind,” said Gray. “Young minds tend to be unobstructed by daily regulations and lead to unique thought and a creative process that can, unfortunately, be lost through age.”
The show will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 4-8. Alumni judging will be held at 5 p.m. Dec. 5. An awards ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 during the reception, which starts at 5 p.m.
Each student from the fall semester art courses will have three to four pieces on display with an estimate of 300 to 600 artworks being showcased according to Gray. The show will have a variety of artistic styles to satisfy all art lovers.
The community can expect to see handmade ceramics, sculptures, paintings, drawings, digital media and mixed media.
Gray said that through the collaborative effort of the art show, students take away an understanding of deadlines, leadership, collaboration, problem solving and creativity as well as encouraging pride in their hard work and strengthening community involvement.
After the holiday season, the third annual county-wide art show will run from Feb. 19-23 with a reception 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22.
Unlike the DCHS winter show, this show will feature works from all Dawson County schools, grades K-12. The pieces on display will be inspired by the comic and pop art styles of artists Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.
Each school will have approximately 25-35 two dimensional pieces and 25-35 three dimensional pieces on display. The show is directed by Mia Gorski.
Gray hopes both shows will have a positive impact on the students and community.
“The beauty of art is speaking your mind, telling your story and expressing emotion,” said Gray.
For shyer students, expressing themselves through art allows them to share and let viewers be a part of their life through imagery, an outlet that many students need that is fulfilled by fine arts programs. Art shows provide an environment that encourages students of all backgrounds to let the community into their lives and experience their stories.
The 2017 DCHS Winter Show “Dreamland” is directed by Diana Warren. Jordan Carter serves as asssistant director.
The staff of students involved in the art show also include Show Manager Cadey Ayers, Assistant Manager Collin McGinnis, Secretary Savannah Kelly Drohan, Publicity Director Shannon Porter, Assistant Publicity Christine Miller, 2D Exhibition Manager Amelia Gorski, Assistant 2D Manager Swayde Stephens, 3D Exhibition Managers Karleigh Davenport and Logan Connell, Assistant 3D Manager Ashlynn Anglin, and general staff Amy Ryan, Sara Rossback, Courtney Rink, Kayla Ochoa Reyes, Meagan Sloane, Evy Ulery, Makayla Elzey, Katie Goodwin, Lauren Treadway, Savannah Kennedy and Hannah White.
The Performing Arts Center is located next to DCHS at 1665 Perimeter Road. The show is free and all are invited to attend.