Published On: March 24th, 2016By Leticia Fehling

Thinking Like Artists: Eisenhower High School International Baccalaureate Students Showcase Art

The thought-provoking course develops students’ creative and analytical skills.

A student discusses his work with community members.

[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]E[/dropcap]isenhower High School offers the rigorous [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]International Baccalaureate program. As part of the IB® Diploma Program, students study [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]visual arts.

The IB visual arts is a thought-provoking course. It develops students’ analytical skills in problem solving. They also develop the attitudes necessary to respect and evaluate a range of viewpoints. Students engage, experiment and critically reflect upon the works and styles of artists.

The course challenges students’ own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. The students develop an appreciation for the expressive and aesthetic diversity in the world. They also become informed makers and consumers of visual culture.

The annual art exhibit showcased the learning journey of 10 IB Diploma candidates. The students fuel their artwork through research about artists and culture. They also incorporate history, literature, science and a myriad of other interests. They also experiment wit many media to determine the best expression of their ideas.

Principal Ben Ibarra listens as IB student discusses her work.

IB Art Seniors

Charnese Abbs
Joshua Arceneaux
Leonardo Fernández
Verónica Flores
Samantha González
Kimberly Lerma
Selene López
Diana Ramírez
Jade Roy
Steven Vaca

Why IB?

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]The IB Diploma Program is a globally recognized honors curriculum. Many colleges and universities award credit upon exam results.[/li] [li]The goal of the IB experience is to go beyond intellectual rigor and high academic standards. The IB program enables students to become conscious of the shared humanity that binds all people. They respect the variety of cultures and attitudes that make for the richness of life. The IB educators emphasis the ideals of international understanding and responsible citizenship. [/li][/ul]

Statistically speaking…

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Nationally, 80% of the students who try for the IB Diploma receive it.[/li][/ul]

The exhibit also formed part of the school’s Youth Art Month Celebration. The students invited family, staff and faculty to the Eagle Gallery at the campus.

For the exhibit, students selected 11 pieces that represented a unified theme. Students represented their work as members of the community asked them questions. The students discussed their artistic intentions and the meaning behind their work.

Kaileigh Rosplohowski lauds the students’ work. Rosplohowski is the IB art teacher at the campus.

“I am proud of how far these students have come as artists,” said Rosplohowski. “They have made a body of work that has their own artistic voice. The students are incredibly knowledgeable about the styles of art they studied.“

For information about the IB Diploma, contact the campus at (281) 878-0900. Individuals can also email Bobby Mansour at [email protected]. Mansour is the IB coordinator at Eisenhower High School.