Late May, the library transforms—its books, computers, and tables disappear. Instead, cerulean blues, pastel pinks, and sage greens spring forward. Black-and-white imagery, blurred lampposts, and drawn figures appear on new display panels. Painting, photography, and ceramics become our focus. Our library becomes an art gallery.
After AP season ends and spring flourishes, the May Art Show opens to exhibit South High’s illuminating art. Before entering the library, viewers will move through the outside hallway lined with the juniors’ full-length self-portraits.
Inside, art enthusiasts will be met with food (provided by the senior artists) from the long table in the commons area. The small feast started in 2010 as a going-away gift to Ms. Katie Saltoun, who was leaving Great Neck to pursue an MFA in painting. She loved Korean food, so in tribute to her, the seniors brought food from their own culture (many were Korean) for a small art show celebration.
Works from the freshman and sophomore studio art classes and elective classes are displayed throughout the space. Tenth graders showcase personally chosen projects, while a select few ninth grade pieces are picked by a senior panel. Meanwhile, a dynamic slideshow of sketchbook pages from all grades plays on the library’s smart boards. A chamber music group that performed at Lincoln Center will also play music—a tradition started last year when Ms. Karen Cuchel reached out to Mr. Michael Schwartz, the music department head.
Further within the library, the makerspace displays AP Studio Art and AP Photography’s Sustained Investigations: their artist statements, investigation questions, and chosen artwork. (AP Photography also features some Juniors’ work.) These art classes differ from their prerequisite courses—students develop a 15-work portfolio exploring a chosen theme. In September, AP Art teachers Ms. Karen Cuchel and Ms. Colleen Campbell guide students as they experiment with mediums and subject matter. Students decide to wo
rk three-dimensionally (sculptures and ceramics) or two-dimensionally (photography, painting, etc.), determining whether they take 2-D or 3-D AP Art and Design. Throughout the year, they refine their Sustained Investigation question—the foundation for their research—and complete a project every two weeks. They research the details, symbolism, and meaning they wish to convey, then develop the artwork.
In this way, the senior art gallery provides a rare glimpse into the students’ creative freedom and personal curiosities. “That’s why it’s such a big attraction at the art show, because it’s a pure reflection of the artists at South and their voices,” said Annie Yao, an AP Studio Art student.
Though the art show now consumes the entire library, it began humbly in the main lobby: each teacher would showcase their students’ works on an individual display panel. However, when Ms. Cuchel transferred from North, she wanted to create a more dedicated gallery space. The art show has since moved to the library after its new renovations (following a period in the GP room). The art show’s growth demonstrates the continuing relevance of the arts community within our school.
Its importance extends to the larger population, “to see the excellent work that our students and teachers do and understand how diverse the visual arts are, not only in media, but in ideas,” Ms. Cuchel explained. “It becomes a place where people can really understand what it means to make art—that images have power.”
