ARRANGING ART

Every three weeks, the visual art teachers shift the art shows in the gallery spaces.

They use a calender to organize what art shows and to avoid conflicts when different classes want to use the space. From paintings to clay pots, a variety of art is showcased yearound.

“Throughout the year we put in a request in for when we want to have a show and for what class,” Ruttan said. “We coordinate the schedule between the four of us, but we’ve had other teachers ask if they could put work in.”

The most difficult time

Introduction to Theater students performed a series of vignettes March 31 in the mall for parents and students.

While the class performed, Theatre Troupe #888’s executive board served spaghetti to attendees. Theater teacher Shawnasea Holst was surprised by the turnout.

“We had way more people than we were

The visual art teachers work together to schedule art gallery shows

by Morgan Tate

they’ve had arranging pieces was when they recently hosted an art show involving all of the Northwest feeder schools. They’ve been wanting to bring it back after it died out during the peak of COVID-19.

“We had to rally the troops,” Ruttan said. “[We called] all the elementary and middle school teachers and had them get their work together. [They had to] decide what piece [they] wanted in the gallery. We really wanted to do voting so the winners for each grade level could get a first and second-place prize, which was really cool and made it interactive.”

Ruttan is thinking about bringing a staff art show to the gallery at the beginning of the next school year before there are any student works to display.

“We haven’t actually advertised for it yet,” Ruttan said. “But we would like to have a staff show. We used to and I know some of the other schools do. It’s open up to anyone. Dr. Gruman could say ‘I drew this’ and put it in. I don’t think any of us have made any motions toward doing that, yet. So I gotta wait and see.” expecting,” Holst said. “We had to pull tables out. We also ran out of spaghetti and had to send someone to Fazoli’s.”

For most Intro to Theater students, this was their first experience on the stage.

“I was nervous for sure,” senior Siliya Lin said. “But when I’m on stage, I feel like I can be vulnerable without being judged or criticized in a harsh manner.”

Following the sound will lead the curious to a single violist playing Irish jigs and pop songs near the auxiliary office. At his feet, the case is open and occasionally, students will drop a dollar bill in.

Sometimes, someone will have a song request. If he doesn’t know the tune, junior Wolfgang Sell will take the next few days listening to it on repeat. His ability to recognize notes and chords by ear allows him to play songs by listening to them.

WANT MORE ARTS?

Scan the QR-code for web-exclusive content, or go to smnw.com

Those talents allow Sell to excel not only in solo performance, but as the principal viola in Chambers Orchestra. He auditioned for district orchestra and was awarded fourth chair. He then auditioned for all-state orchestra and was placed in twelfth chair. He was also accepted into the Esterhazy String Quartet Seminar held at Missouri State University.

Regardless of his accomplishments, Sell still doubts his musical ability. When he performed at the state level, he considered himself the worst player there. He thought he must have barely gotten in.

“It’s pretty common across teenagers,” Sell said. “We’re always struggling with thoughts of ‘we’re not good enough.’ But you’re way better than you think you are. You’re just hardwired to think that you’re not enough because that’s what people have told us in our lives.”

Sell knows he is talented, regardless of the thoughts that plague him. He knows he was born with a gift, but he knows he wouldn’t have gotten anything if he hadn’t worked for it. He says that just being gifted doesn’t automatically equal success.

“You can’t just get it,” Sell said. “I have some gift, but giftedness can only take you so far. You can be naturally born with talent, but you have to work hard to actually realize the full scope of it.”

Sell uses those first lunch concerts as preparation for future performances. He hopes the more he plays those Irish jigs and covers of “Hamilton” songs, the more he can ease his performance nerves. With the solo and ensemble contest coming up April 15, Sell plans on performing Sonata for Viola Schubert and participating in a group performance with the hope of achieving a 1.

* In store only, cannot be combined with other offers *