After a long year of learning and creating, the Oshkosh West art department is finally ready to show off their students' hard work. On May 6th, the annual art show kicked off, showcasing the talent of the many students involved in the art classes here at West and including many different styles of work from clay and ceramics classes, jewelry and sculpture classes, photography classes, senior art classes, and drawing and painting classes.

Family and friends of artists gather in the auditorium hallways to see the long awaited artwork. Clay and ceramics teacher Jason Ryf feels the art show gives an opportunity to share the hidden artwork over the past year to the community.

“It's a chance to get other people to come see all the stuff that the students have done, we kind of hoard the artwork throughout the year, and we get some stuff out there, but nothing compared to the end of year art show,” he said. “It's just a good opportunity to show the community, and other teachers, what the students have done.”

Senior art student Layla Molash enjoys seeing people's hard work, as well as the support the artists receive.

“It's always fun seeing who comes and supports the art show, and it's really nice to see what everyone makes.”

Art has always been a comfort activity for Molash, so continuing to grow and learn as an artist in highschool was a no-brainer.

“Art is always something I've wanted to continue with and get better with, and it's just something I'm really passionate about,” she said.

Jewelry, sculpture, and senior art teacher Emily Meyer loves seeing the work of her peers and students. She emphasizes the way the show unveils the true talent and passion that West has to offer.

“It's cool to see what the other teachers have helped create, as well as my students' art from other classes. Seeing how they do things similarly or differently from their art in my class is interesting. It's just cool to see it all together,” she said. “West has a lot of really talented kids, and we would have more if kids would be willing to take the chance and give it a try; you don't know until you try.”

Some students may be scared to try an art class because of the fear of not being good enough, but it never hurts to try something new. Meyer believes that if students loosen up and stop putting themselves down, they could create something amazing.

“I think art in general is just a way to explore things in a different way. Sometimes you're going to suck at it, and that's okay. As long as you're learning from it, that's what's key,” she said. “I know we’re our worst critic, but at the same time, it's really cool to see other people's perspectives of what you're doing because they are not in your head and they're not judging your work like you judge your work.”

Getting students to realize what they are capable of is a challenge for Ryf, as students tend to get in their heads about their art. Once students unleash their creativity, they can create something completely unique from everyone else.

“A lot of them don't have the self esteem to think that they can do it or they see other stuff made by other students and they think that they can't do that, but once they get into it, they see that they can do it,” he said. “They don't have to do it like anybody else; they can do it their own way.”

Junior art student Lauren Ebben appreciates the break from a long day of academics that her art classes give her, as well as an opportunity to learn new skills.

“Other students should do art in high school because there is a wide variety of art classes, and it’s fun to learn new techniques and mediums,” she said. “Having an art class in high school is also nice when your brain hurts from all of your other classes, you can look forward to just relaxing and painting.”

Though Ebben isn't a senior, she still got her own section of artwork at the art show, displaying all her lovely paintings she created this year, her favorite being a piece she put a lot of time and thought into.

“My favorite art piece I've made is my oil painting of me as a baby. I’m such a perfectionist when it comes to art, and since this was a painting of myself, I was even more particular about everything. So because of all the effort I put into it, it’s my favorite”

Having the choice of these creative classes gives students a much needed brain break and allows students to show off their true and authentic selves. Photography and Global Arts teacher Chelsea Schinker enjoys seeing students in a different light than their other classes may see.

“It's not just watching them create cool things, it's watching them tap into those creative modes, and I get to see them express themselves in ways that you don't get to see in a math or english class. Seeing them as an artist is not so much their artwork.”

Art teacher Kelly Spanbauer loves seeing the growth of her students over their time at West, starting off taking intro classes with little experience then transitioning into creating amazing artwork with many new skills by the end of their highschool career.

“The fact that some of them are as young as 15 years old and haven't experienced a whole lot of mediums. As they touch on more mediums and skills, they get more confident,” she said. “Maybe their intro work isn't as great; they maybe have the concept but not the technique down. Once they get the technique and the concept together is when I see them get to be amazing. A lot of them come with talent, but when they actually get it, it's amazing to see how good they get”

Molash recognizes how much she has grown over the past 4 years, and she enjoys seeing all her friends' unique art styles develop as well.

“I've made great friends, I've learned a lot of new skills, and an appreciation for everyone's art styles. It's just really fun to see people improve and grow,” she said.

Even though projects start with the same idea, with so many different unique art styles, everyone gets a different perspective of the project, creating something completely new.

“Everybody can do the same project but with a different outcome, and it's not wrong or weird or goofy; it's just an expression of themselves. It's just a good opportunity to express yourselves,” Ryf said.

For Meyer, the outcome is always the best part. Students can do amazing things when they see success in their work.

“My favorite part is when I can celebrate with them. Seeing kids find success in themselves,” she said.

For Spanbauer, it's astonishing seeing the sheer amount of artwork that students made over the past year, especially all the work that was made outside of her classroom.

“Seeing how much stuff they did this year, how many people are actually taking art. How many materials were used, how cool it is that we've made things with just paper or a canvas,” she said.

Art is essential for people to discover their creative side and explore themselves. Schinker believes that everyone should try art at least once in their lives, no matter their performance.

“Art is fundamental as a human endeavor, so everyone should do art no matter what age they are, but we know that art helps us stay focused, it helps us relax, it helps us build character.”

by Tenna Ruetten

Published May 19th, 2025

Oshkosh West Index Volume 121 Issue VIII

Art show paints community with student creativity