The Lockport High School Art Fair was once again a resounding success that drew students, families and staff together in celebration of creativity, dedication and artistic expression. Each year, this much anticipated event highlights the incredible work being done in Lockport’s art classes, and this year was no exception.
“There was no particular theme other than outstanding work from the kids,” according to art teacher Molly Cook, a key organizer of the event. Instead, it showcased a diverse array of student work from each art class offered.
This variety was reflected in the mediums on display, which included paintings, sculptures, digital art, photography and more. Student projects are often guided by class requirements, but “they are encouraged toward exploration as well as working on a specific concentration for their entire portfolio.”
The creativity and range of styles on display made for a vibrant and inspiring exhibit. With so many impressive pieces on display, it was hard to pick just one standout, but one of the most memorable moments came during the award ceremony where students celebrated each other’s achievements with genuine enthusiasm.
Madisyn Dumbauld, a photography student who contributed to the art fair, reflected on the experience, “I was very surprised to hear I won an award for a photograph of mine, and even more surprised when I saw which photo it was. But amongst all the other art, it didn’t seem so small. It was interesting to see multiple unique art forms placed next to each other in an exhibit, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Beyond the art itself, the fair plays an important role in enriching the school’s culture. It is one of the few opportunities for art students to be publicly recognized for their work and for the broader school community to see what happens in the art wing. “It is a great opportunity for the rest of the school to see all of the amazing things we are doing in the art classes here,” Ms. Cook proudly stated.
“We got a great response from students, parents, and other staff members. Every year we hear how great it is to have the artwork out on display.” There’s even talk of establishing permanent display cases in the future so student work can be viewed year-round.
Behind the scenes, preparing for the fair is a major undertaking. The process begins as early as the previous school year and involves extensive effort from both teachers and students. “Not only is it a lot of work for the art teachers to get all of the artwork prepared, hung, and judged, but it likewise is a huge amount of work for the students.”
In the end, the Lockport art fair stands as a proud testament to the creativity, talent, effort and community spirit of the school’s art program. As this year’s display comes to a close, there’s already excitement building for what next year’s fair will bring.
