Extra Credit: Hoover High School Showcase at Museum of Contemporary

This week I attended an art showcase created by high school students from Hoover High School. It was a combination of a couple courses: ceramics, music, painting, and psychology. Students were asked to create an art piece expressing a subject learned in class and to make it their own. There were people showing their handmade musical instruments, using recycled material, showing portraits, and a girl was performing her art piece the entire night. This entire showcase showed how art, creativity, and a bit of thought, can be expressed in many ways.

When I first entered this gallery, I was amazed to see so many young faces. As we have learned in class, there are less young art enthusiasts. Seeing so many students interested in showing off their art piece to their parents was fascinating. I do understand this was a class project but after hearing the excitement in their conversations, it was obvious this meant a lot for them. 

Hoover high school is an inner city school located in a low-income community in San Diego. Students that attend this institution often do not get exposed to art events like these. Exposing art students is important and often triggers staff members like Mr. Moya and Mr. Hieu to push for events like these.

 

Throughout the gallery art pieces were hanging from the ceiling, being performed, on the wall, and there were structures created from recycled materials. Each piece unique in its own way. I was amazed at the performance from one of the student artists. During the entire time she was performing her piece, "What has the fashion media done to you?" She never broke character and expressed her emotions throughout the night. Like we have learned, art comes in different shapes, methods, and unique styles.

A section that confused me was called "How does propaganda get to you?" There were pictures taken of close-up objects. I did not understand what was the propaganda behind the images but I definitely felt interested by the pictures. With my midterm invention I probably would have been able to understand more. 

This gallery was a great experience definitely helped me see that high school students can make amazing art that makes you think. Every piece had me wondering what was the inspiration and time to create. I encourage people to attend galleries like these and support inner city schools.