It’s not every day that students see a problem in the school around them and decide to make a change, but seniors Emily Hennegan and Rachael Boyd have done just that.  Their decision to plan a new Winter Fine Arts Night will relieve the burden on art students, as well as raise money for the Fine Arts Department.

In September, the gallery in the art wing showcased the artwork of several teachers.  “As soon as all the teachers’ paintings were shown up in the gallery, we got to thinking.  Why not do that for the students in the winter instead of at the end of the year when there’s all this pressure to get all your stuff together?” Hennegan said.

Fine Arts Night is traditionally held in the spring.  The weeks preceding it are characterized by students searching through an entire school year’s worth of art pieces.  They must gather the pieces that will not only showcase their talents, but fit on their “art doors,”  large foldable portable boards on which art is displayed.

Hennegan and Boyd believe that a Winter Fine Arts Night will not only relieve the pressure of having to pick from a year’s worth of art work, but also allow students to show a number of pieces that they wouldn’t normally be able to with only one Fine Arts Night.

“We just want to have another opportunity for students’ artwork to be displayed because I think there’s a lot of art that could be displayed, but is not.  We want to take an opportunity to showcase that work,” Hennegan said.

While there is no set date for the show and much has yet to be planned, the two have many ideas for it.  “Right now we’re just in the planning stage and we’re thinking about having a meeting with the National Art Honor Society, when we’re going to have it, what kind of things we’re going to do, and how we’re going to draw everyone in,” Hennegan said.

She also hopes to deviate from the average Fine Arts show which simply shows art pieces.  “We want to be active with it and not have just a gallery,” Hennegan said.  Hennegan hopes to be able to get attendees of the art show more involved instead of walking through the school and looking at art. She’s not exactly sure of the routes she’s going to take but she’s keeping an open mind.

The success of a Winter Art Show affects not only the two seniors but also their plans to help enhance the Fine Arts Department. “Emily and I came up with the idea seeing that the art wing needs more money for more supplies, since we don’t get a lot from the school in the first place,” Boyd said.

The two are still planning the details of the show, but raising money for the Art Department is a priority. “I’d like to raise enough money, just so we can get the art wing back on its feet and just get all the supplies that we need,” Boyd said.

Boyd and Hennegan are taking complete control of the winter show out of the hands of Fine Arts Department Chair Bruno Baran.  “He said it was a great idea, but Emily and I come up with everything,” Boyd said.  Planning the winter show involves gathering students, planning activities, and reserving locations for artwork to be held.

Baran liked the idea of Boyd and Hennegan taking control and getting students involved.  “I think that it gives a chance for some students to get involved,” Baran said. The Winter Fine Arts show will not only give two seniors a chance to get involved but it will give art students another chance to showcase their talents.

Chioma Iheoma is an Opinion Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.