Eisenhower High Students Exhibit Work at Museum of Fine Arts Houston

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The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is showcasing artwork from 29 Eisenhower High School art students. The exhibit, Spirited Impressions, is on display in the Kinder Foundation Education Gallery. The exhibit is now open and will run until Jan. 11, 2015. The MFAH will celebrate an opening celebration reception Sunday, September 28 at 2 p.m. at the museum.

Last year, Dr. Michaelann Kelley, challenged her students to understand Impressionism. Kelley is the visual arts instructor at the campus. The students visited the MFA in 2013 to study the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works. They also discussed the 19th century art movement. Topics ranged from techniques, composition and concepts.

“The students learned that Impressionism was a radical movement,” said Kelley. “It was a major shift from the conventional art created at the time in France. The Impressionists’ independent exhibitions brought them to prominence during the 1870s and 1880s. They painted something as ordinary as an apple or a scene in modern life. They displayed their individuality in their works. Many used techniques and styles that made the movement popular then and now.”

Back in the classroom, the students set to work on their own impressionist works. This led to the student exhibit at the MFA.

Kelley said Ike students participate in the MFA’s Discovery Through Art (DTA) program. She said that the program has made a huge impact on the students and has opened their eyes to new ways of thinking about art. Kelley lauded the museum for the rich content of its exhibits and for providing continuous learning opportunities for educators and students.

Discovery Through Art is a multi-visit program offered for grades K through 12. The DTA visits focus on exploring the museum’s collections and temporary exhibitions. Kelley has made DTA the focal point of her teaching for more than five years. Each semester, she works with the MFA staff to tailor DTA visits to the theme of the semester’s curriculum.

“It’s been amazing to work with the museum staff over the years,” said Kelley. “It has truly been an honor to open up a new world to my students. They have had a chance to meet artists. For example, they had the chance to meet the Franco-Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diez. Getting a chance to meet an artist in person has encouraged some of my students to pursue their artistic interests.”

Kelley’s students visited the museum’s exhibit, The Age of Impressionism: Great French Paintings. They studied Degas, Renoir, Cezanne and others.

[quote]The students gravitated to the still life genre,” said Kelley. “And they related to Cezanne’s powerful statement about changing the world one apple at a time. Even so, each student has his or her personal artistic spirit in his or her piece of work on display.”[/quote]

Eisenhower High students submitted more than 100 entries. The museum chose 33 pieces from 29 students to showcase in the Spirited Impressions exhibit. The Kinder Foundation Education Center is sponsoring the student exhibit.

Many of the students graduated in spring 2014. Six are currently seniors at Eisenhower High School.

Eisenhower High School Students With Artwork in Exhibit at MFA

Corian Allen — International Baccalaureate (IB) Student, Graduate
Marivi Ancelmo — AP Student, Graduate
Elizabeth Angel — Advanced Placement (AP) Student, Graduate
Karen Calderón — AP Student, Senior
Taylor Davidson — AP Student, Graduate
Sandra Escobar — AP Student, Graduate
April Galván — AP Student, Graduate
Roberto Gámez — Art 4 Student, Senior
Yesenia González — AP Student, Graduate
Karina Guerra — AP Student, Graduate
Francisco Hernández — AP Student, Graduate
Mauricio Hernández — AP Student, Graduate
Rosa Herrera — IB Student, Senior
Briana Mayes — IB Student, Graduate
Marco Medina — IB Student, Senior
Eleazar Mendoza — IB Student, Graduate
Hoa Nguyen — IB Student, Graduate
Mariel Rascón — IB Student, Senior (former Ike student)
Brenda Rubio — IB Student, Senior
Christopher Tate — IB Student, Senior
Edgar Vega — AP Student, Graduate
Sony Ven — AP Student, Graduate
Noemi Villanueva — AP Student, Graduate
Shantel Vivar — IB Student, Graduate
Dasia Warner — IB Student, Graduate

The students also provided a description of what art means to them or wrote about their artwork.

“My artwork is not only an extension of my ability and talent,” said Nguyen. “But it is also a manifestation of the imagination within my being.”

“The simplicity of my piece, Granada, is reminiscent of Cezanne,” said Medina. “And yet the bold colors could be more contemporary.”

[quote]What makes me an artist is that I always want to do more,” said Gámez. “I strive to create and get as near to ‘perfection’ as I can. I realize that there is no such thing as perfect art, but as long as you put forth the effort and thought into your piece, it will be great art.”[/quote]

Kelley encourages everyone to see the students’ artworks.

“I hope everyone visits the exhibit,” said Kelley. “I appreciate everything the Museum of Fine Arts Houston does for our students. This exhibit gives our students the opportunity to showcase their work and talent.”