Community members flocked to West’s Alberta Kimball Auditorium on May 14 in celebration of the Art Department’s spring show. The display ranged from glass mosaics to paintings, drawings, clay sculptures and more. Capturing the talent of this year’s art students, the show featured pieces from both fall and spring semesters from all disciplines, as well as boards highlighting the talents of graduating seniors.

Senior Jade Hendricks is one of many who has found solace in the art department over the past four years.

“I think art classes have always stuck out to me; it’s something that there's really no wrong answer to and it’s really easy to get into a fluid space,” she said.

Freshman Claire Teviotdale appreciates the time to slow down during the hectic school day, finding peace during those long hours.

“It helps me relax during school and it’s a nice break from having a fast paced learning environment like in math,” she said. “You get to come in here and work at your own pace, calm down, and make art.”

Senior Megan Bruss appreciated the community that the art department has given to her over the past four years.

“I think it's fun and just an easy class to take; you can always make friends in art class,” she said.

Freshman Charlotte Mowry credits much of her artistic success to the incredible educators leading the art department at West.

“It’s been so positive, I love all the teachers. I think I’ve had Mr. Ryf, Mrs. Geffers, and Mrs. Kowalski, and they’re all amazing.”

Junior Aliyah Thomas reflects on the calming nature the art department embodies, pointing out the added benefits to students.

“It’s just a way to unwind when you're doing everything else. It’s a better way to unwind, and they’re good elective credit classes,” she said.

Hendricks hopes that the spring art show will grow the Oshkosh community’s love for art, as well as display the hard work of West students.

“I feel like more people should be aware of what amazing things people do with their hands. More people should buy and appreciate art,” she said.

Clay and ceramics teacher Jason Ryf acknowledges that the positives of art classes may not resemble those found in a traditional classroom, but are important nonetheless.

“Art classes are a nice break from some of your other classes. Yes, they're important, but so is finding out what you're good at and being able to be creative and problem solve,” he said. “This may not be a career for everybody, but it can be a nice hobby and it might be a nice way to relax.”

Ryf hopes that the art show is a chance for all students to appreciate the ingenuity behind each piece.

“A lot of the stuff gets hung up in the hallways, but there’s not a lot of exposure outside of school, so it’s a good opportunity for other people to see what the kids are doing in class,” he said.

Art teacher Linda Geffers sees the show as a way to put a spotlight on unappreciated talent found in the student body.

“There is really great work by high school students. You will be surprised by how much talent there really is here,” she said.

Senior Alex Dedecker agrees that the art show shows the community what students can do as well as bringing the Oshkosh community closer.

“I think it brings not only the student community together, but then also the rest of the art community in Oshkosh, and brings awareness to what the kids are doing,” he said.

Bruss feels it's important to show off the artwork that students put so much time and effort into.

“The art show is important to show everyone how creative people are and to appreciate the art work that people take the time to do,” she said.

Thomas recognizes that the art show gives students a greater motivation beyond just the class itself, instead giving it life and purpose,

“It shows off student art and shows them it's worth something and not just a thing you make for a grade,” she said.

When students see that their art is actually being appreciated outside of a grade, Geffers feels they are willing to go above and beyond. She also thinks it’s important to show the school and administrators the vitality of these programs.

“The art show is important for students to show that it’s worth putting the time, effort, and energy into it. For the school board or administration, that their budget money they're giving to our department is going towards good use,” she said.

Hendricks loves the accepting community that is the West Art department.

“The art classes here are taught by amazing people and it's a really accepting place to never be turned away or feel like an outcast,” she said.

On top of the social benefits, Geffers believes that art classes hone a special skill that can only be found in that particular department.

“I think employers are always looking for talented, creative people that think out of the box because I feel like they think they can train you to do the basic things but they can't train you to be creative,” she said.

As Ryf’s and Geffers’s careers in the West Art Department come to a close, Geffers reflects on what made their team so successful.

“The one thing I've always loved about our department is that we're always really close; we have the same philosophies,” she said.

In their absence, Geffers hopes that the community the art department strived to create over the past 20+ years continues giving students a place to call home.

“I hope that students continue to find this a safe and comfortable place to be and get away from those hard, strenuous classes and find a place where they can relax and listen to music and be creative,” she said.

Ryf loves seeing students tap into their creative sides and create something that they're truly proud of.

“My favorite thing is seeing what students can do,” he said. “A lot of times you think you know kids and what their projects will end up like and then somewhere along the line it takes a turn and all of the sudden it's something completely different, and it turned out really good even though it wasn't really planned. Like Bob Ross says, ‘it's a happy little accident.’”

by Tenna Ruetten and Delaney Smith

Published May 26, 2026

Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue VIII

Students give artistic sanctuary visual voice at spring show