At Park’s art club, people from all different art levels come together after school and create any type of art ranging from markers, paint, pottery and more. The club is open to anyone, and you can create whatever you want or even just use it as a study hall or hanging out with people. However, if you’re open to it other members are willing to help out and give art tutorials. This club debuted in 2020 and is a popular club for student artists now.
According to sophomore president Shiloh Anderson, it’s her second year in the club and she keeps going for an art environment outside of school, and because of the relationships built. She said it’s a place where you can convey yourself through art.
“I joined last year and I keep going mostly because of my friends and just because they have art supplies there that I get to use outside of school and outside of my home life,” Anderson said. “It’s just an environment that you can express yourself in.”
According to art teacher Angela Jacob, she enjoys seeing students and young artists. She said she appreciates seeing them create art and build connections.
“(I like) seeing the excitement of kids being able to come every week, and letting them have a place to practice their art and build relationships,” Jacob said.
According to Anderson, it’s fun and since the club is small, it’s not a huge responsibility being the leader. She said friends also help her with the leadership process.
“(Art club is) pretty fun, (and) not that much of a responsibility because the club is so small. (I mostly do) technical stuff and spending time (with people),” Anderson said. “(I) have my friends help me out, (as well as) my co-leader. Last year the leader elected me.”
According to Jacob, there’s a range of different levels. She said some people have taken previous art classes, so there’s a lot of diversity.
“There’s a little bit of everything, beginners to people who are very much, experienced and have been taking our classes throughout the middle school, high school. There’s a lot of different variety,” Jacob said.
According to Anderson, the club is more group-based. She said it’s similar to a summer camp environment, there’s nothing specific you have to do, and instead, it’s more about being together and doing what you like.
“(Art club is) a community thing. It feels like a summer camp or something where it’s mostly just about meeting people and doing stuff you like to do,” Anderson said. “We don’t have any specific activities, it’s just hanging out and doing what you want to do.”
According to junior Robin Braunschweig, he came first because he didn’t have anything else to do, and it was a good extracurricular. He said he continues coming because the people are entertaining to be around and it’s a good way to be creative.
“My first time encouraged me to come because I had nothing else to do, and it was a good filler. Why I kept coming is because the people are cool and funny. It’s a great way to be creative,” Braunschweig said.
According to Jacob, they teach each other, and other artists bring in their supplies so it’s more student-run, but she’s there to help when needed. She said she has some resources they can use if they need or want.
“They do teach each other a little bit. Students bring in art supplies, I have some art supplies that I provide, but most of it is just whatever students bring,” Jacob said. “So whenever they bring something, they teach (others) how to use it. Typically I don’t (instruct), it’s all student-led.”
According to Braunschweig, the vibe of the club is fun and casual. He said this club is art kids getting together to do projects from art classes and make projects in this club. He said you can be creative do to the freedom that the club allows if the materials aren’t too expensive.
“It’s very low-key. It’s just where a bunch of art kids get to hang out and do projects from their art classes. It’s very fun because everyone’s accepting and you get to express yourself creatively. You can do whatever you want if the materials are within budget, so you get a lot of freedom too.” Braunschweig said.
Art club meets after school from 3:15-5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays in Jacob’s room in B114.
