Unified in Individuality Art Show at Palmer High School

“Unified in Individuality” was the International Baccalaureate Visual Art Show at Palmer High School last weekend. It was a stunning display of multi-media and fine art prepared by 21 students. Each of the artists presented numerous art pieces revolving around a designated theme of their choice. Their work represented several semesters (and in some cases years) of art study in the Art Program, taught by Shelli Franckowiak, who is in her 12th year of teaching at Palmer High School.

It was an amazing collection of art, message and individuality. Franckowiak complimented the hard work and dedication of all the artists but in particular identified Jazmyn Caulkins, Aidyn Dervaes, Robin Hoyt, Brianna Jensen, Jina Malone, Erin Sherman and Mary Tucker. Their commitment to their art has shown great growth, technical talent and communicative skills.

Aidyn Dervaes’s two year body of work included fabrics, oils, pastels and watercolors in addition to sculpture. Her hand sewn dress drew much attention with 953 hand-painted watercolor butterflies cohesively attached in a flighty and wondrous swarm. Dervaes explained that the cascading butterflies represented the innocence of love and that feeling of first love where “butterflies are in your stomach.”

Linnaea Alverts, Rheanne Bouchard, Chloe Cotterman, Natalie Dombroski, Sapphira Flint, Emilia Garcia Grigsby, Eslie King, Madison Reid, Alma Reyna, Liberty Scott, Jenna Vanderweele, Hannah Villanueva, Krysta Walsh and Faith Wixon also exhibited their collection of work.

Jenna Vanderweele’s artistic theme was Grieving. She explained that her art was her chosen way to heal, through the loss of her brother. In addition to paintings she created small clay figures acting out the poignant five stages of grief, with two poses each. Jenna said it was important to have different poses because no one grieves in the same way.

Other developed themes including time, slavery, freedom, realism, voices, curiosity, nature, opposites, beauty and a variety of emotions. The entire show represented great talent along with young and powerful voices.