KEQ - The Art Issue - Winter 2016

KEQ Volume 4 Issue 2

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{art issue} Hi readers, With this issue, we endeavored to uncover why art, in its many facets, is so compelling. Whether you’re into seeing concerts or plays, visiting a museum, playing an instrument, painting or photographing a landscape, creating something beautiful and meaningful has been a part of human history and emotion so intimately that it’s impossible to separate art from life.

Onto the cover: Ashley Ortizcazarin had full control over the concept, and she committed to getting what she wanted–– our more abstract idea inspired by Chase Mouser’s photography. John Landry, his beautiful camera, and his editing skills made the cover look as cool as it does.

Tenley Gage’s poetry on the back page ex-

plores the taxing devotion to and ultimate catharsis from writing (very relatable).

This issue’s layout is a bit different, so if you turn the page you’ll find the feature, fantastically written by Nick Bolin, about how intertwined our history and identity is with art and expression. The story on dance forms practiced by BSM students,

by Anna Latourelle, uncovers what makes people want to dance and the history of their medium (page 6 to 8). Nearly half of the issue is dedicated to student artists, whether we know them from Instagram, their work in class, or teacher recommendation. From page 19 to 31, you can read what your classmates draw and paint in their spare time, the lengths they’ll go to to get a photo, who has an unknown musical talent (page 22), and what beauty prod-

Benilde-St. Margaret’s School 2501 Highway 100 South St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55416 Contact at kkoshiol@bsmschool.org

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Hasta la próxima,

Carolina Jimenez Editor-in-Chief

Staff

Publication Policy KEQ is written and produced by the journalism students at Benilde-St. Margaret’s School. The views expressed in this magazine are the opinions of the writers and not necessarily those of the Knight Errant staff, advisers, or BSM administrators. It is distributed for free to all BSM high school students.

ucts makeup masters recommend.

I’ve got the diligence and hard work of my staff to thank for this issue. The writers reworked their stories and re-interviewed; the photographers committed to their stories, no matter how many emails they had to send or miles they had to drive to get the right photo. The designers have made so much progress since our first press night, most noticeably in their preparedness and attendance. It was a team effort, from the original brainstorm and weeding out process to the final title and layout check-in, and I’m proud of how everyone’s input has contributed to the issue.

Editor-in-Chief: Carolina Jimenez Magazine Editor: Grace Gyolai Photography Editor: Ashley Ortizcazarin Graphic Editor: William Krane Writers: Molly Keady, Nick Bolin, Lucy Scherer, Vivian Shinall, Sally Calengor, Mary Youngblut, Jacob Farrey, Leo Driessen, Jack Beutz, Claudia Elsenbast, Anna Latourelle, Sarah Persons, Caelan Woog, Erin Long, Emma Lindahl, Olivia Rossman, Aspen Konowalchuk Photographers: Lauren Beh, Ginny Lyons, Amira Carter Graphic Designers: Kate Hancuch, Charlie Peavey, Jack Feld, Andrew Cadle, Skyler Burns-Goetzmann, Michael Koch

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Cover Photographer: John Landry Photographer: Ashley Ortizcazarin Designer: Andrew Cadle Muralist: Eduardo Kobra

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Art throu

ince the dawn of time, humanity has possessed an impulse––the desire to create. From the primordial etchings of primitive hominids to the masterpieces of the renaissance, art has been used as an instrument to illustrate beliefs, a vessel to carry messages, a method used to evoke the passion of the beholder, something that sets us apart from the beasts, something that transcends the transitory nature of life. “[Art is] an act of creation. You’re making something that wasn’t there before. Capturing something in a new way or documenting a certain moment in time,” Benilde-St. Margaret’s art teacher Zach Zimny said.

Right around the turn of the 19th century, shells with engraved markings on them were discovered in Indonesia. Scientists later found that the markings dated back more than 500 millennia. Attributed to Homo erectus––a long extinct species of hominids that are believed to be early ancestors to humankind, the zigzag doodles are the earliest known sign of abstract thinking.

Carrying on Homo erectus’ capacity for creativity, other ancient humans left their marks as well; thousand-year-old cave paintings, the earliest known example of true art, can be found in several locations across Europe and Asia. Remarkably detailed paintings lining the cavern walls include portrayals of local animals and hand stencils. Although only faded remnants of long dead ancestors, the artwork provides a fascinating look into the past.

While the first sparks of such artistic ingenuity came

millennia before the written word, most art as we know it today found its origins amongst the great cradles of ancient society. The longstanding civilizations of Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, India, Persia, China, the Inca, the Maya, the Olmec, and the Roman Empire all served as cultural epicenters for a variety of traditions that have had a grand influence upon art through the ages.

Although the cultures of these early civilizations valued a rich range of subjects and keen patronage of the arts, with the rise of the Catholic Church also came a decline of the arts.

As life became far more religious, art focused less on humanity and more on God and the staunchly religious culture of the early Catholic Church. Art portrayed the sublimity of a higher world, presenting idealized and disproportionate figures, often in paintings or stained glass windows. Regardless of this religiously stylized form of the middle ages, realism endured in some byzantine art, foreshadowing a rebirth––one that would begin in 15th century Italy.

In the renaissance, Europe rediscovered its humanistic identity; there was an eruption of culture that renewed those humanistic ideals that had belonged to an earlier time. Taking a turn to emphasize the more human and materialistic aspect of existence, renaissance art brought Europe from the dark ages and into the light of the early modern age.

Further east, Islamic culture emphasized patterns, architecture, and calligraphy, while India and Tibet emphasized dance and sculptures. China saw art forms like jade carving,

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ough the Ages

w it ent Annca, d as da

da the arts. anof of a figless ism one

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bronzework, pottery, poetry, calligraphy, music, painting, literature, and more. Depending on the dynasty, China’s art styles fluctuated often.

Art’s cultural and societal significance through the centuries cannot be understated Every piece has its purpose, whether motivated or non-motivated. Non-motivated purpose is when the work of art appeals to those who witness it in a way the artist had not intended. Motivated purpose is the creator’s intention for the meaning of the work. A work of art is a portal in time. Many artists have left behind legacies––to live on for as long as their labors survive; whether it’s Michelangelo’s David, Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, or Beethoven’s fifth symphony, surviving pieces of art have allowed their creator to live on. “Humans like to make things because they know it will last beyond their lifetime. That’s very primitive… leaving a legacy in a body of work,” Academic Dean of Design and Art at Minneapolis Community and Technical College Kristine Gyolai said.

While art’s influence upon human culture is obviously immense, the impact art has on people’s everyday lives has a more subtle significance, relying entirely on the decisions and perception of that particular person. “You’d have to ask the individual people [what a piece of art means to them]... what it does for me or you depends on who we are,” Zimny said.

The arts—whether one prefers crafting clay pots, painting pictures, performing music, or even reading books—is not only a hobby or pastime, but is instead an intrinsic emotional

remedy. “We take [art] and communicate and use it as therapy. [We] use music and art in so many ways; in our world today… we are so hooked up to electronics and the internet that the arts are crucial for us to just slow down and enjoy life,” Benilde-St. Margaret’s choir teacher Nancy Stockhaus said.

We as people are so caught up in going through the motions, and doing all we can to be successful—playing house and paying bills––that sometimes we lose sight of the finer things in life and forget to stop and smell the roses.“[Art and literature are] just so powerful because it allows you an escape, but it also allows you to dream of what you could be,” Spanish Literature teacher Mary Murray said.

From cave paintings to Roman frescos, medieval stained glass to the renaissance, the superfluous compositions of Beethoven to the contemporary modern art of today, art in all of its forms carries with it a little of what it means to be human. Art is the expression of human thought and emotion, gifted to us through creation, process, and product that touch the spirit. Art adds to life passion, imagination, and beauty that makes us who we are.

Writer: Nick Bolin Designer: Jack Feld Photographer: Ginny Lyons

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Azteca Dancea

Designer: Skyler Burns-Goetzmann Writer: Anna Latourelle Photographer: Amira Carter

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our years ago, senior Alma Godinez started learning Aztec dancing with the group Mexica Yolotl. She discovered the group through her church where they performed for the Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. Godinez fell in love with the rhythms and decided she wanted to be a part of the group. “What I love the most is the learning that happens along the way. I learn something new every time I join the circle, whether it’s from my mistakes or from other comadres or compadres. I also love the sense of community… that we are more than danzantes––we are a family,” Godinez said.

The costumes that each dancer wears have a specific meaning to that person. Each costume is different; the colors are supposed to correlate with their birthday month, but many choose colors and designs as they please. “I wanted mine to be colorful and to represent fire and nature because fire is a symbol that ancestors used and the skirt is supposed to be like a wing, and when I turn it should look like a bird,” Godinez said.

Each time the group performs there is no a specific dance decided upon ahead of time. Every dance comes in counts of four or eight and is repeated twice.“There are many different dances and we pick whichever dance is going to be performed by the person

Alma Goldinez

performing,” Godinez said.

The beginning of every dance starts with asking the four elements for permission to begin. “Asking the elements for permission was passed on from ancestors. Once you ask the four elements for permission there are different leadership positions,” Godinez said.

Each dance has a name that goes with nature or animals and follows themes of Aztec beliefs. “If you want to learn a dance you have to ask [the four elements] if they can dance with you [which] symbolizes learning from elders which is a part of what the Aztecs believed,” Godinez said.

The different positions are called the Jefe/Jefa or boss. Then there are other positions like segunda palabra, sargento, sahumadoras, and atecocolli, who are typically people who have been in the group longer. The people in the different positions typically have bigger costumes or carry something that symbolizes their position.

Since Godinez joined the group, she has found herself in a welcoming community. “Since I’ve joined the community, I feel like I have learned so much about my culture how my ancestors lived and the ceremonies they celebrated along with the meaning behind why they did them,” Godinez said.

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Jang-Mi Korean Dance and Drum

D Fan

Anna Latourelle

Designer: Skyler Burns-Goetzmann Writer: Anna Latourelle Photographer: Amira Carter

an c e

A

fter adopting me from South Korea, my parents wanted to immerse me in my culture while living in Minnesota. As a way to help foster that connection and heritage, I started learning Korean dance for Jang-Mi Korean Dance and Drum thirteen years ago.

At five years old, I started learning dances like the Puppet Dance, the Farmer’s Dance, Water Jar, and Sogo Dance, which were dances with simple choreography and movement.

As I got older, the choreography of the dances became increasingly complicated because of either the tempo, hand movement, or feet movement. Each dance has a different feel to it; some are graceful and some are powerful.

All the dances I have learned in the past 12 years have their own significance and meaning. The Sleeve Dance, “Seungmu,” was a dance that would be performed in front of royalty while the Sword Dance, “Geommu,” was a folk dance. The Fan Dance, “Buchaechum”, is a dance where the fans have beautiful flowers on each side and the movement is flowing and graceful.

Each fan has three flowers covering it with pink feathers on the top and green leaves around them. The Hanbok, which is the costume that each dancer wears when performing, consisting of a jacket, “jeogori,” pants, “baji,” and a skirt, “chima.” While each costume has similar parts, depending on what dance is being performed the colors will differ.

The dance that I am currently focused on is the Three Drum Dance. There are three drums surrounding you while looking at the audience, one on each side and one behind.

There are different rhythms played on the drums while we continue to spin, jump up and down, turn upside down, and do more synchronized moves.

In the Fan Dance, each person has a fan in each hand and the movement is centered on grace, with lots of different people doing different moves and turns. The dance has many different components; the arms moving up and down and back and forth, the feet moving forwards and backwards, and the fans are being opened and closed at different angles.

For the Fan Dance, the colors of the Hanbok are typically brighter with flowers on the base of the dress but for the Sword Dance the colors are solid yellow, blue, and red with a black vest over top.

As a child I never understood why my parents would drag me to dance lessons every Saturday morning when I just wanted to watch cartoons, but now as a high school senior, I am glad that they chose to send me to learn Korean dance as it helped me build my knowledge of my heritage.

The importance of this was solidified in seventh grade when I got the amazing opportunity to perform in Korea. When I visited, I had the chance to see more of my culture and where I am from. Ever since I was little, I have wanted to know more about where I was born and my culture and learning these traditional dances has allowed me to explore my heritage.

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Hip Hop Sam Kristensen

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“In freestyling, I get to express how I feel with whatever type of song is playing”

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t a wedding five years ago, freshman Sam Kristensen started freestyling on the dance floor. Fellow wedding guests began to notice his abilities and asked him if he was interested in working with a professional instructor. Kristensen would go on to work with an instructor for two years. Through his teacher he learned about The House of Dance where he became a part of their breakdance team.

The House of Dance breakdance team performs at many well known locations around the Twin Cities. We went to the Ordway, where we performed in the lobby by doing a routine and freestyling, then the hip hop team went on and performed. About a month ago we went to the Mall of America,” Kristensen said.

Every routine is different but contains the same five elements or parts. Each element is a different style of breakdancing. “Top rock” is footwork standing up.

“Freezes” involve going into a one-hand handstand and freezing. “Go downs” involve a spin down to get

to the footwork, and “footwork” is on the ground using both hands and feet. “I like to do footwork and top rock because I have trained the longest with them, and I can make it very creative when I am dancing,” Kristensen said.

The last element is “power,” which involves fast movement such as a ninety degree spin in a one-hand handstand. Another part of breakdancing is freestyling.

“In freestyling, I get to express how I feel with whatever type of song is playing, and it is great to do it when I am with my group at practice because I get to learn other people’s styles, and I can sometimes use things that I have seen when I am in battles,” Kristensen said.

Each routine takes time to master, so Kristensen practices twice a week with The House of Dance team on top of his outside training. “When we put together a routine, first we learn moves, then put the moves together into the routine. After we are done learning a routine we get in a circle and freestyle,” Kristensen said.

Designer: Skyler Burns-Goetzmann Writer: Anna Latourelle Photographer: Ashley Ortizcazarin

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Copper Canvas I

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Wooddale Ave

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50th & France

France Ave S

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Writer: Vivian Shinall Photographer: Ashley Ortizcazarin Designer: Andrew Cadle

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n the past few years, small patches of color have begun to emerge around Minneapolis. Utility boxes live on street corners and in parks, and are usually glanced over and then forgotten. For a long time, the plain grey exteriors of these boxes were a magnet for graffiti, but with the new “wrapping” movement, these boxes are becoming colorful centerpieces for local neighborhoods.

If you’ve been around Minneapolis, you’ve likely seen a wrapped utility box, even if you didn’t know what it was. The boxes are usually wrapped with blown up images of vibrant objects, as these are the most eye-catching designs. The wraps are vinyl adhesive, which makes printing relatively simple, and the use of vinyl material helps the designs hold up throughout tough Minnesota winters.

According to Minneapolis’ Community Planning and Economic Development department, the best initial designs were close-ups of a purple onion, a close up of an orange flower and a closeup of tennis balls. Communities can submit their own designs for the boxes, but as the effort to reimagine these boxes has progressed, the requirements for designs have grown.

To submit a design, it has to relate to something that is unique or important to that community.

The new wrapping of the boxes comes from a movement by communities to decrease vandalism, but it has turned into much more. Now, it helps those passing by neighborhoods to stop and take a closer look. The box grabs their attention, and the neighborhood holds that attention.

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Prince I

n the wake of Prince’s death last April, many different types of tributes have been given to honor the memory of the influential singer. Murals have been one of the most attention-grabbing methods used. These beautiful homages have been painted all over Minnesota, but two truly stand at the forefront of this movement.

It’s hard to miss the towering, purple mural on the side of the

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Chanhassen Cinema. This massive 40 ft. painting of Prince’s face, created by artist Graham Hoete, stands less than two miles from Prince’s Paisley Park studio. To create this mural, Hoete used variations of purple and white spray paints, even including white doves and purple rain to pay tribute to some of the core symbols that represent Prince. According to the Star Tribune, Hoete’s ex-

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Writer: Vivian Shinall Photographer: Ashley Ortizcazarin Designer: Andrew Cadle Muralist: Graham Hoete

tensive work did not go unnoticed. He was even recognized by Prince’s family, who thanked him for his work in honor of “the Prince.”

Another mural stands in Uptown, Minneapolis. Although not nearly as giant, the piece is also done in lilacs and deep purples. “I thought this would be a nice present to Minneapolis and Uptown

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to help with grieving,” said mural artist Rock “Cyfi” Martinez in an interview with The Current, a local radio station. “Minneapolis is hurting, the world is hurting. We’re losing a legend of art and music,” Martinez said.

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Building MPLS T

he skyline of Minneapolis is bursting with examples of amazing architecture. Not only do these buildings represent Minnesota throughout the years, but they capture the many different artistic styles unique to the area.

One of the the most eye-catching buildings in downtown Minneapolis is the Guthrie Theater. According to Artspace.com, this memorable navy building was designed by Jean Nouvel, an architect from France. The idea for the structure of the new theater was to use metal and glass, echoing the industrial forms of flour-milling Minneapolis. The giant circular thrust theater, which juts out from the main building, replicates the form of massive grain silos that had been used to store the grain used for flour. Similarly, the rectangular blocks topped with two narrow staggered cylinders closely imitate the towering flour mills nearby.

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The inside of the structure is almost as eclectic as its exterior. Light in one “viewing room� filters in through yellow-stained glass, painting all of its contents in a surreal light. Other rooms use a similar technique as light casts a blue hue across the room. On one wall of a long hallway, windows are offset by mirrors, giving the viewer a distorted version of the Minneapolis skyline.

Another striking example of Minneapolis architecture is found in the Basilica of St. Mary. Although it is vastly different from the Guthrie in its design, it is by no means less impressive.

The opulently adorned church was designed by Emmanuel Masqueray, who blended Beaux-arts and Baroque styles to give the building its ostentatious flair. According to Architecturestyles.org, these two styles are known for their rich, lavish, and heavily embellished designs. In the late 19th to early 20th centuries, these

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styles were used by many churches, as the intricacy of the work was thought to be so perfect that it could only have been achieved

by God. After construction of the exterior of the Basilica ended in 1917, it became one of the most architecturally significant churches in the country.

One of the most interesting architectural works in Minneapolis is the Mill City Museum. The museum is built into the shell of an old flour mill, which offers not only a gorgeous stone exterior, but an extensive history as well. According to the Mill City Museum website, the initial mill was built in 1874 and was known as the Washburn A Mill. It was fully functional until an explosion caused by flour dust killed 18 workers and took with it many buildings around it. It is estimated that Minneapolis lost more than half of its milling capacity after this disaster.

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Even though it had suffered a great setback, Minneapolis did not waver in its reconstruction of resources, and the mill was up and running again by 1880. At this time, the mill was the largest and most technologically advanced in the world. It continued to run until 1965 when it became obsolete. Finally in the late 1990’s, the mill was refurbished and turned into a museum, which is what currently stands in Minneapolis today.

Writer: Vivian Shinall Photgrapher: Ashley Ortizcazarin Designer: Andrew Cadle

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Writer: Molly Keady Designer: Michael Koch Photographer: Lauren Beh

At BSM, it is difficult to avoid the pieces of artwork that we pass by every day. Whether you are walking down the Theater hallway to grab some Taher cookies, running downstairs to your business class, or even gathered in the Great Hall for mass, it’s clear that art plays a vital role at BSM. Chapel Hallway:

This year, the Chapel hallway is decorated with multiple banners painted by the art and design classes. This project not only taught students how to learn new art techniques, but also served as a reminder how all people can live by the Catholic Social Teachings regardless of age, religion, or gender. “There was this idea to create a community art project that was based around community at our school… [and] how we all can live in the Catholic Social Teachings.

[The saints] project helped bring the idea of the Catholic Social Teachings in art through people who are Catholic and not Catholic but still live out those ideals and is community oriented,” Art and Design teacher Mrs. Leah Klister said.

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ch Beh

On Display Theater Hallway:

While commonly known to be the home for BSM’s drama department, the Theater Hallway is a vast display for all visual art including photography, drawing, and painting. Near the bathrooms, the photography students are given the opportunity to showcase their skills and select their best artwork of the year to be hung up. As the hallway continues to the main entrance, many AP painters and illustrators are given the area to present their work.

Glass Displays:

Found in the entrance of both the main hallway and the science department, two glass displays are routinely refreshed with selected pieces of artwork from the BSM art and design and drawing classes.

These displays are currently displaying personal still lifes by art and design students.

Library:

When not studying for class, students can come to the Library where there is a cork board dedicated to various art students. Unlike the other art destinations, this one displays art selected by a committee of teachers and National Art Honors Society members. Currently, the corkboard is home to many drawn and painted portraits created by art students.

Great Hall:

In the fall of 2015, BSM revealed the mural of St. Benilde, St. Scholastica, and St. Margaret which is displayed during all-school Liturgies. This mural highlights the saints of our three charisms and has made the Great Hall feel more like a sacred space and a welcoming environment. “[It’s important to display art] because I think that many buildings are built sterile...I believe it is extremely important for us to surround ourselves with something beautiful because it makes it a much more enjoyable learning and teaching environment that we are all able to create,” Mrs. Klister said.

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Writer: Aspen Konowalchuck Designer: Michael Koch Photographer: Ashley Ortizcazarin

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Zimny O

n school dress up days, art teacher Mr. Zach Zimny can be seen wearing full self-painted masks. At school liturgies, he might be found playing songs at the piano, and on days when he has free time, Zimny throws clay downstairs in the ceramics classroom. Zimny grew up with a love of art, and while photography is his primary medium he also enjoys creating ceramics. To him, “[The best part about art is] creating something that didn’t exist before or taking pictures of things that others could have never noticed,” Zimny said.

Throughout high school, Zimny chose to enroll in art classes to develop his skills.

His passion for art continued to grow as he took graphic design in college and received a degree in it. “I went into [graphic design] because it seemed so art intensive,

it seemed like a good way to stay involved,” Zimny said.

Graphic design intrigued Zimny in the beginning of his studies, but after a while he realized he didn’t like the lack of freedom in the geometric-heavy design. “I enjoyed a lot of it [but] the cubical scene was pretty dry; it wasn’t really what I liked,” Zimny said.

Over a 15 year span, Zimny has taken over a thousand pictures. “I’ve shot so many hundreds of thousands of photographs that it’s hard to just pick one that was my favorite,” Zimny said. He created some of his favorite pieces by combining individual photographs. “I’ve done a lot of panoramic stuff where I shoot six to twelve images and kind of stitch them together to make one image… it might be one foot tall by four feet wide, something like that,” Zimny said.

To capture some of these awesome pictures Zimny traveled on assignment throughout Nepal, South East Asia, and Central America on a six month photo safari. The idea to go on this unique trip came to him while he was working in Alaska after college. “After my position there was cut, I decided that it might be a good opportunity to take a year and knock a few things off the bucket list,” Zimny said.

He went to Southeast Asia to experience Loi Krathong. While he was there he discovered a love for the jungles, temples,

and beaches in the area because they were all so unique compared to what he was used to. “[In the jungles] there were tree roots that were massive and gnarly… things you don’t find around here,” Zimny said.

While in Central America he was inspired by the exotic features around him.

“Nepal had by far the most photogenic landscapes––massive, gnarly mountains and glaciers and such––though the food got old after a month,” Zimny said.

During the in-depth project, Zimny had many valuable experiences that he carries with him. However, passion projects are not without their drawbacks: “All the humid, salty air did a number on the circuitry of my camera and it’s been kind of touchy ever since,” Zimny said.

Mr. Zimny originally said that he simply “had no emotions” regarding his art work, but it soon became clear that art is not only an intrinsic part of his life, but also a very satisfying process. “[You get] a little rush of satisfaction or something when you’ve got something that turns out well, whether it’s clay, a painting, or a photo. It’s just a very satisfying process to go through,” Zimny said. Zimny maintains his laid back attitude while creating, allowing him to enjoy the entire process of making a piece. “If feel like doing something I do it, if I don’t I don’t,” Zimny said.

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Sculpting the Future

Writer: Mary Youngblut Designer: Michael Koch Photographer: Ashley Ortizcazarin

B

SM offers many different kinds of art classes for every student’s interests and needs. For some, it’s the art itself and the expression art offers, and for other students it is simply a period where they don’t have to worry about tests or homework. Art classes are an important part in many students’ lives, and BSM’s art teachers inspire their students every day to create the things they love and to learn new skills.

Ms. Kelli Rahn teaches photography and design classes along with photojournalism. She has been teaching at BSM for twelve years. Rahn didn’t plan on being an art teacher and instead pursued a bachelors in fine arts and a masters of fine arts and interior architecture. “I ended up substitute teaching and I ended up really liking it. I took something that I was interested in, [and even though teaching] wasn’t what I was planning on doing… it’s been great,” Rahn said.

Ms. Nan Onkka teaches art and design and drawing classes. Onkka has been teaching art at BSM for four years, but art

has always been a part of her life as her mom was an elementary teacher and her dad is an artist. “I actually did not go to college to pursue art or education but then I ended up switching halfway through college because I really liked the art classes I was taking and I thought I would enjoy teaching,” Onkka said.

Ms. Leah Klister, who has been at BSM since 2009, teaches junior high art class, art and design, painting and recently began teaching clay and studio art. Klister knew that art would be a central part of her career and translated that passion into teaching. “I knew that I wanted to have art as a part of my career but I didn’t have a lot of direction as to making my own art...for my career. I’ve always enjoyed teaching the things I love,” Klister said.

Because the art classes are taught by many different teachers, assignments are created especially for different levels and mediums. “[For] the higher level classes, a lot of emphasis is put on the students becoming involved and generating their own

project ideas to make sure that there’s a direction. For the lower level classes, the teachers will collaborate and they’ll talk about the concepts and the skills that we want students [to have] to make sure that they get [those skills] out of the class,” Rahn said.

The art department is working hard to include the central teachings of BSM into their curriculum to help enhance students’ learning. “We take a look at what’s going on right now, or how we can incorporate Catholic social teaching, or ways to incorporate different types of themes that the school is putting more emphasis on,” Rahn said.

Art class teaches the students how to work hard and have good time management. Students have to focus on their core classes outside of art, while still working hard during the period. Art class is not a study period but rather a time for a calming atmosphere and a place to create pieces to be proud of.

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PROFILES:

STUDENT ARTISTS

Alice Petty

Photographer: Alice Petty Writer: Claudia Elsenbast Designer: Charlie Peavey

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reshman Alice Petty sees life through a different point of view: a lens. For roughly two years she has run an Instagram account and in the past year she has taken her photography to the next level. Starting with pictures of her team at a track meet and hiking, it slowly morphed into an account dedicated to her work as a photographer. “I started off taking pictures of my friends and family and it has evolved to where it is today,” Petty said.

Petty’s life is centered around her passion for photography. She spends her weeks looking through a lens for hours to get her desired shot. She has climbed buildings, hiked trails, and driven hours to capture the perfect image. After taking the picture comes hours of selecting, editing, and cropping before the picture graces Instagram.

From shots of the view of a building she scaled to a recent shoot with a smoke bomb, Petty uses her camera to capture beauti-

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ful images and videos. She scours the internet for ideas to replicate or modify. “I draw my inspiration [from] famous Instagram accounts like Andrew Kerns––his aesthetic and use of color inspires me,” said Petty.

All the hard work pays off when Petty gets recognized for her work. “One time I tagged the brand of camera strap I use in a photo and was reposted. That was really cool and I gained a couple dozen followers,” said Petty.

Beyond this she bonds over love of photography and shoots with fellow BSM students like junior Tia Sposito and sophomore Eli Mason. “They are really cool and we all work together to get great work,” Petty said.

Petty’s photography is something she doesn’t want to give up. I would love to do this professionally someday,” Petty said. Check out her work at alice.petty on Instagram.

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Arianna Slattery

Photographer: Lauren Beh Writer: Sarah Persons Designer: Charlie Peavey

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rom a young age, senior Arianna Slattery has always had a passion (and a knack) for art. Slattery specializes in the area of illustrations with her own graphic style. “I enjoy illustrations because it’s amazing how much emotion and symbolism you can fit into one piece of artwork,” Slattery said.

Artists typically try to convey a story within their art, but Slattery puts a unique turn on that idea. “Often times I try to portray a theme or a mood. I hope people can take away what I was trying to show in each piece some of the time, but if not, I hope they just enjoy its aesthetic appeal,” Slattery said.

Slattery created her favorite piece while curating her portfolio for the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. “My inspiration for the art style came from the Silent Hill 2 video game, but overall I like dark spooky things, and I enjoy drawing things with horror themes. I started to use a new style of art with this piece that involves painting more than actual drawing, cell shading, and line art, which is what I would usually do the most of,” Slattery said.

Slattery, who hopes to further her art career in the future, has lived a life full of prioritizing her art; she even started drawing long before she can remember. “Art is important to me because in a world where everything has become so routine, artistic spontaneity is something we all need. It broadens our minds––lends us a view of something we haven’t seen before. Or perhaps it draws a different shade over something we are familiar with to give it a completely new tone,” Slattery said.

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Photographer: Lauren Beh Writer: Jack Boase Designer: Charlie Peavey

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any of humanity’s most iconic and well-renowned pieces of artwork come in the form of portraits. From Davinci’s Mona Lisa to Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, the depiction of the human figure, specifically the face, has been an essential pillar of modern art. Junior Carmen Ercolani has put her own spin on this classic form of painting. “I mostly focus on portraits and I usually use pencil as a medium, but I also use water color,” Ercolani said.

Ercolani’s portraits are not precise replicas of the visual aesthetic of her subjects, rather it is a form of art that blends both visual and everyday life to create a unique piece. “I kind of focus on both ends of the spectrum––love and everyday life––and how each person is different,

and we can’t compare each other,” Ercolani said.

An essential part of any portait are the eyes, or as some would call them, the windows to soul. Ercolani inserts this part of the portrait towards the end. “I usually try to get the most detail as possible, I do the face artwork first then I do the eyes and the hair,” Ercolani said.

Ercolani has created most of her artwork for BSM art classes and what she considers her finest work is her signature style of portrait. “One that I did for the school [is my best work], a self portrait in abstract color and realistic in portrayal. It is the biggest portrait I’ve done of anyone. I put a lot of work and effort into that drawing and wanted to get as much detail as possible,” Ercolani said.

Carmen Ercolani 21

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Z ach B i ge lbach

ue to persuasion from his mother, senior Zach Bigelbach started playing piano when he was five years old, and found a lifelong hobby. While he continues to take lessons, Bigelbach’s musical abilities have lead beyond merely playing piano: he composes his own music.

After taking lessons for five years, Bigelbach first noticed his ability to compose around age ten. “I fell in love right away. It’s a form of expression, and I can be myself when I write and play. Everything else fades away, and what I’m playing becomes my whole world,” Bigelbach said.

Bigelbach started to focus more on composing as he got older and noticed that he could open new doors and find himself creatively by pushing to write more music. “I usually wait for a burst of inspiration when writing new music and that can come from anywhere. I could be listening to the radio and hear a chord I like, or just during the middle of AP stats. I get in the mindset and put both headphones in and go into my own world,” Bigelbach said.

Through his training and natural gift for writing music, Bigelbach is able to translate his work to other areas of his life such as school. One of his favorite pieces was composed for the Science Fiction Literature class at BSM. “We were given a project where were we had one page to use creatively to assess themes in ‘The Martian’. I wrote a five minute composition which has five movements, and [the movements] related ‘The Martian’ to the five stages of grief,” Bigelbach said.

Writer: Grace Gyolai Photographer: Ashley Ortizcazarin Designer: Andrew Cadle

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SPENCER BECKER

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unior Spencer Becker has been making the halls of BSM a little brighter with his musical talent. He can be seen anchoring the orchestra with the upright bass as well as playing electric bass in the band. “I’ve been playing electric bass since sixth grade, and upright bass since freshman year. I’ve been messing around with the guitar since I was ten,” Becker said.

His original inspiration for learning guitar was an alternative band. “Green Day is the band that got me interested in music, that made me aware,” Becker said.

Since this moment of awakening, Becker expanded his style repertoire. “I play rock and roll with some guys, and I play folk music,” said Becker.

He cites multiple influences for inspiring him to continue with music. “For Jazz, I’m a big fan of Monty Budwig and Ray Brown. [I would say] ‘Lullaby of Birdland’ [is one of my favorite songs], it inspires me. And my bass teacher, Jeff, has had a big influence on me. When I play, I don’t try and think of a single influence; I try and shape myself to the piece I need to perform,” Becker said.

Becker is hesitant to cite the best memory from a gig, rather gaining fulfillment with his playing through recognition from others of the effort he puts into his performance.

“I was playing at a retirement home in Stillwater, and we opened with ‘Gentle on My Mind’ by Glen Campbell, and that was the second gig in the day. I just played it really well; the guitarist [and I] were playing together real well. Later, the people I was playing with said it was the best I’ve ever played,” Becker said.

While Becker hopes that he can continue playing music, he is realistic about the financial instability that musicians often face and the possibility of resenting music when turning it into a livelihood. “I don’t want to make it my career; I’ve heard of people playing music they don’t want to play, and they end up hating the music business,” Becker said.

Becker has his sights set on smaller, more attainable goals. “I plan to play music for as long as I live. My best memories are playing music with other people. My bass teacher has a class he calls ‘Play like a Pro,’ and he’s wants me to be the next bass player for the group. When I say I’m studying jazz, that’s my [short-term] goal right now,” Becker said. to “Iplan play

music long for as

as I

live.”

-Spencer Becker

Photographer: Amira Carter Writer: Olivia Rossman Designer: Charlie Peavey

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oah Shields has a gift for art evidenced by his knack for Photoshop and After Effects. “I would doodle all over my homework, totally ignoring the teacher, which didn’t always help my grades. I kept consistently drawing using pencils, calligraphy pens, Copic Markers, you name it,” Shields said.

Now a junior, Shields has developed an even stronger passion for different types of art. “Art is always changing for me. There is so much variety in art, and I think that’s one reason why I never get bored of it. There will always be something bigger and better,” Shields said.

Photoshop and After Effects are two mediums Shields prefers to focus on. “I tend to do a lot of my work digitally. It was around 7th grade when I found out that I could use Photoshop to make digital art, and I was instantly intrigued,” Shields said.

One of Shields’ favorite art pieces is one he created of a character based on of a video game that he planned on creating. “It was the protagonist, Cerus, and it took me most of the day. I had created his sprites and animations in an 8-bit style, but wanted to truly see what he would look like in a realistic style,”

Shields said.

Shields likes this piece best among all of his creations because of the time spent on it, and because he wasn’t self-conscious about what he was drawing; he let his artistic abilities go to work.

“After I was done, I kind of just stared at it for a while. It was a very dynamic piece, and I feel like it showed off the best of what I had to offer at the time,” Shields said.

Noah Shields

A Alicia Fripp

licia Fripp, a BSM freshman, discovered her interest in art around seventh grade and has been excelling in her work ever since. Fripp typically uses her talents to make realistic art but is open to all forms from digital work to oil pastels. Fripp takes inspiration from many impressionist artists. “I love Dega, but also Van Gogh and other impressionist artists,” Fripp said.

While Fripp has many beautiful pieces that she is proud of, her favorite is an oil pastel of a flower. “We did a Georgia O’Keefe style close up study of an object in art class. I did a flower and I don’t know why but it really turned out well,” Fripp said.

There are lots of things in pop culture that inspire Fripp and her artistic ideas. Even Pokemon served as the motivation behind a piece of art. “This [piece] was for an art competition. We had to take two of the original 151 and create a new pokemon from the two,” Fripp said. Her pokemon inspirations were Ivysaur and Caterpie.

Fripp uses art as an escape and she shows it through her beautiful work. Fripp treasures art class as time to immerse herself in her work away from her other classes’ stresses. “Art class is such a relaxing [period]. I get to do something I love for 45 minutes instead of studying really hard or taking tests. It’s so important to me,” Fripp said.

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Maya Berg

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uring freshman year, senior Maya Berg had the opportunity to take clay class and found a love and passion for the medium. Berg was drawn to ceramics since learning clay was an option only available to her at school, whereas forms like painting and sketching could be self taught. “It is difficult to do [clay] outside of the classroom because you can’t throw bowls without the wheel and it is the type of art [I] couldn’t learn in any situation outside of school,” Berg said.

Currently, Berg is in AP Clay with separation as her concentration (a cohesive body of work investigating a strong underlying visual idea in 3-D design-College Board). “When I begin a piece I create the bowls, wait for them to dry a little, and then carve the piece out to show the separation,” Berg said.

Writer: Anna Latorelle, Mary Youngblut, & Caelan Woog Designer: Jack Feld Photographer: Amira Carter & Ginny Lyons

For her concentration, Berg is focusing on different ways to show holes or cuts. “I have a piece that has wire holding it together. [For] the floating piece, I create[d] three different bowls and then cut notches in them to put plastic in between each bowl,” Berg said.

Along with pieces of concentration there also needs to be pieces with breadth, which are designed to show a versatile ability. Berg discovered her muse for the project, a chair, because of its utility. “Normally, I just throw bowls and vases for my concentration and for breadth I wanted to do hand building pieces and I wanted to do something challenging and I was sitting in a chair,” Berg said.

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hotography is an integral part of Claire Folkstead’s upbringing, but she hadn’t pursued it until signing up for Photography 1 class last year. She instantly fell in love with taking pictures after her class from BSM, as she had already been surrounded with it from an early age.

“My dad is really into photography and he has been doing it since he was young,” Folkstead said.

Folkstead isn’t just interested in photography because it is a passion her family shares, but rather because of the license to express her artistic opinions in any way she likes. Folkstead loves photography due to the freedom, the beauty, and just the fun of it. “I like that you can do anything you want, and it is just something that I enjoy doing all of the time,” Folkstead said.

Folkstead has taken numerous photos throughout her photography career, but one specific picture sticks out in her memory: a photograph featuring a calm blue sky with a cross at the top of a hill. She took the shot in Ireland when she was hiking and exploring with some family friends. “I really liked the composition of the shot, and I thought it would make a great photo,” Folkstead said.

Photography has been an engaging and fun hobby for Folkstead over this past year, but she doesn’t see a career in it. However, she still hopes to learn more about photography so that she can take even better photos in the future. “I want to improve my work and I want to work on my portraiture because I haven’t done a lot of that,” Folkstead said.

Writer: Erin Long Deigner: Kate Hancuch Photographer: Lauren Beh

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Writer: Lucy Scherer Deigner: Kate Hancuch Photographer: Ashley Ortizcazarin

Cristina Marier

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n wasn’t until last year that Junior Cristina Marier really got into the art of makeup. Her enthusiasm developed in part due to the huge beauty community on Youtube. “I just found it really interesting how you can do a lot of different things with just a few products,” Marier said.

Marier finds a lot of her inspiration from social media, including sites like Instagram. There are certain accounts like Nazanin Kavari’s that post daily. Marier creates her own looks that are inspired by what she sees from other makeup lovers online.

Cristina likes to shop primarily at Sephora and Mac stores, and has preferences for certain products. “When I go to Sephora, I like brands like YSL and Anastasia Beverly Hills,” Marier said. YSL (Saint Laurent Paris) is known for their skin products and lip products like lip sticks and lip liners. Anastasia Beverly Hills sells highly sought after eyebrow products and eye shadow pallets. “My favorite looks include doing my eyebrows and highlighting,” Marier said.

Not many people consider makeup to be a form of art, but Marier understands just how complicated and expressive it can be. “A lot of people think it’s easy, but it’s really not. Things like contouring take a lot of practice and work to get the desired look,” Marier said.

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Ashlee Ola

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unior Ashlee Ola started wearing makeup in 6th grade to deal with insecurities, and an obsession soon began.

Throughout 8th grade, Ola cut back on using makeup, but then had a realization. “I realized that I didn’t care what anyone thought anymore and decided to wear more again,” Ola said. She need the approval or disapproval of others. Since then, Ola does her makeup however she likes.

Ashlee Ola gets inspiration for many of the looks she creates from pop culture figures. “I find most of my inspirations from social media, especially Instagram and YouTube,” Ola said. Most frequently, the looks of Kylie Jenner, known for her famous family, makeup and style, and Jeffree Starr, who became popular on his YouTube channel for makeup looks and tutorials, motivate Ola to create her own interpretations.

Ola’s favorite brands are Becca, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and Urban Decay, and while they have a costly price tag, Ola swears by their quality. “Anyone can get make up anywhere, but products like eye shadows are more pigmented when more expensive and more expensive lipsticks give you the feathered lip look,” Ola said.

Ola likes doing her friends’ makeup because every face is different, so everyone looks better emphasizing unique features on their faces. This is why she considers makeup an art. “It’s like painting: your face is a blank canvas and doing makeup is like painting that canvas. It takes time and effort,” Ola said.

Writer: Lucy Scherer Deigner: Kate Hancuch Photographer: Lauren Beh

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Maizy Jackson

rom serene landscapes to vibrant forests, sophomore Maizy Jackson finds inspiration for paintings wherever she goes.

Growing up taking art classes, Jackson’s interest in painting didn’t develop until recent years, and since then, she has been creating some of her best works of art. One of her favorites is her seventh grade painting of a glowing forest in the summertime. In fact, Jackson’s artistic process usually begins outside of the classroom. “If I find something pretty, usually I’ll take a picture, but I won’t paint outside,” Jackson said.

After snapping a pic, Jackson draws a sketch, grabs her acrylic paint, and gets to work with the goal of doing justice to the scenery; it doesn’t take a genius to know realistic paintings of nature are her specialty. However, instead of taking the painting elective classes BSM offers, Jackson does most of her painting in Drawing I, and will continue to do so in Drawing II. She paints recreationally, as well, seeking approval from her family. “My uncle does art; he’s a photographer, and he always looks at my paintings,” Jackson said.

Jackson can be found in art museums including the Minnesota Institute of Art soaking the different pieces in. “I love being able to think creatively and express feelings and things in my life,” Jackson said.

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Ethan Lee

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ophomore Ethan Lee began drawing in Kindergarten, and realized that it could be worthwhile when other kids began complimenting him on his art. At that time, he was really into drawing gears, and through elementary school, his drawing became focused on technology. Now, Lee describes his style as semi-realistic, geometric, and not-too-cartoony. “A lot of the stuff I draw tends to be robots or science fiction stuff like tanks,” Lee said.

When Lee began taking art as an elective, his drawing started to feel more like homework and this stifled his creativity and his process. “[I] decided to stop taking formal classes last year. It wasn’t the teacher; I just wasn’t getting as much fun out of drawing, and it actually started feeling like homework instead of something entertaining,“ Lee said.

Now, Lee draws recreationally, but he doesn’t see himself becoming a professional artist down the road. Instead, he’d likely use his skills to help him in a technical career path as an engineer, or to create a YouTube channel based on animations. In the end, Lee can’t imagine his life without art. “With drawing, I actually create something, something you don’t have to write a description for, something you don’t have to visualize. I’d miss being able to communicate exactly what I want,” Lee said.

Writer: Leo Dreissen Deigner: Kate Hancuch Photographer: Amira Carter & Ginny Lyons

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Sam Charles

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am Charles is a prodigy with a paintbrush and a master with a pencil. A junior at BSM, he prefers drawing, especially with pencils, as he finds drawing easiest and is able to dedicate more if his time to his art when he uses that medium. “For me it’s just relaxing, if I get bored or stressed it’s just something I can do at home,” Charles said.

Charles is passionate about art for his own personal goals and growth as an artist. “I usually just do it for me, I’m not really interested in selling art or getting recognition, but I just do it for me because I can just do it whenever and wherever I want,” Charles said.

Charles’ favorite pieces involve using new and complicated mediums. “I drew a jaguar last year for Painting 1, and it might have been my favorite, because it was with oil paint and that was kind of hard to do,” Charles said.

As for inspirations, he doesn’t typically find it from any famous artists, although he especially likes the works of Picasso and Banksy.

Charles instead finds ideas for pieces from his favorite animals because he has always had a passion for them and going to the zoo. “When I was younger I loved the zoo and I have always loved animals,” Charles said.

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Tia Sposito

Writers: Sally Calengor, Emma Lindahl, & Jacob Ferrey Designer: Jack Feld Photographers: Lauren Beh, Amira Carter, Ashley Ortizcazarin

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ia Sposito, junior photographer, recently discovered her passion for taking pictures. Her interest in many forms of art––including painting, drawing, and videography––sparked her start in photography. “With my painting and drawing, I express things; it’s like an emotional release. With photography, I like capturing the moment; it’s more about hanging out with friends and having fun with it. I’ve met some really cool people through photography too,” Sposito said.

Sposito also enjoys shooting portraits and actions. Each artist has a different and unique purpose for their artwork. For Sposito, photography allows her to set time apart each day where she can be by herself. “When

you take a picture, nobody has probably ever taken that picture before which is really cool to think about,” Sposito said.

Two of Sposito’s most recent photographs are now on display in the theater hallway, among other artist’s work at BSM. These are two pictures of many from Sposito’s favorite setting––an abandoned building. “I love urban exploring! My friends and I went to an abandoned mill, and all the stuff there was super cool because it was messy and different,” Sposito said.

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Abby Sohm

he girl, the myth, the artist: Abby Sohm. This BSM sophomore has held a passion for sketching from the moment she was able to hold a pencil and get her hands on a sketchpad.

Some may say that Sohm’s leap into the artistic world was destiny, others might argue that it was really a happy accident, but either way there is no denying that she is hooked. “It’s sort of a stress relief and also sort of a funnel for my inspiration. It encourages me to be creative both in my art and in the rest of my life, too,” Sohm said.

Sohm might be just a high school student by day, but by night she conquers the art world with her realistic takes on what she sees in her everyday life. Her sophomore alter-ego has, despite all odds, actually helped fuel her creativity and discover what she is truly passionate about in regards to her sketches. “I like drawing people.

I guess I’m just really sort of inspired by the faces that I see in my daily life because there are a million combinations of facial features and I think it’s really interesting,” Sohm said.

From Morgan Freeman to Artemis, there is no denying that Sohm is willing to expand the boundaries of her artistic prowess.

“I’m a really big fan of Morgan Freeman. I think he’s pretty cool and so, I decided to draw a picture of him because he has a very distinct face, like the nose and the freckles,” Sohm said.

Her ability to recreate pictures and what she sees day to day isn’t her only superpower. Sohm’s imagination also takes center stage in her drawing of the Greek goddess, Artemis. “This one unlike the other ones isn’t based on a picture or something that I saw, I just sort of made it up. I also don’t usually do stuff in color, but I did in this picture. It represents Artemis from Greek mythology. I thought it was pretty cool how she used her bow and arrows and how she was running around the forest with some woodland animals,” Sohm said.

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a graphite sword Words. I neatly spread them across the page ever so slightly crooked. The way they gleamed in the right lighting reminded me of oil on wet pavement. The graphite and its slight sheen were beautifully mysterious.

As I wrote each letter of each word, my timeframe was decreasing. The tip of my weapon was dulling quickly and would soon need sharpening. With that in mind, I wrote cautiously knowing the consequences.

As time went on, the fragrance of the pristine white pages and the earthy graphite began to harmonize with each other; like honey and lemon in steaming water. Both my body and mind were overwhelmed with emotion. Energy surged through me and onto the paper.

The paper that was the color of clouds.

The sound of the words hitting the page was my battle cry.

My fingertips glided across the page while I read my opinions, thoughts, and experiences. The paper was smooth and calming like water in a vase yet exciting and bold. It held the unknown.

The taste of graphite lingered in the air along with the grit of wood shavings. Metallic dust was sprinkled across the paper and placed on my hands.

My fingers were sore and my eyes tired as I struggled to continue to fight. The beating of my heart and the sound of the words were deafening. Both sounded like drums of war. With my last burst of energy, I wrote the words I had been meaning to say. The pencil is mightier than the sword. poem by tenley gage

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