BGHS senior art students share artwork at Wednesday exhibition
By ROBIN STANTON GERROW
BG Independent News
A sense of community and belonging, the need to decompress, and an understanding of their role in the bigger world are takeaways for Bowling Green High School (BGHS) art students as they prepare for their final show before graduating.
While their post-high school career plans range from going into health sciences to becoming a tattoo artist, the students have taken art classes throughout their high school years, and all of their hard work culminates with the “Senior Studio and aMAYzing Art Shows,” Wednesday, 5 to 6:30 p.m., in the Big Gym at BGHS, 530 W. Poe Road.
“Art has been one of the most important and consistent parts of my life,” said Ethan Smith, who is planning to continue his art education at Parsons School of Design in Strategic Design and Management. “It has acted as an excellent outlet to express my emotions and aspirations in a physical medium. Art has helped me find myself by drawing from my personal life and experiences as inspiration. Through that process, I’ve developed a personal style and gained a deeper understanding of who I am.”
“After high school, I intend on working towards becoming a tattoo artist,” said Carrey Badenhop. “One of the biggest reasons I stuck with art through all of high school is that it’s been a great outlet for my mental health. Through the years, being in art has also created a sense of community for me, and it gave me a place where I feel like I belong. I gained so much knowledge of different media and techniques. Had I not stayed in art, I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to learn so much about different forms of art and how much of an impact it can make.”
Jalicia Moore plans to go to the University of Cincinnati to study health sciences, and found art classes to be the one time in her day where she could decompress and not have to think about anything except what to create next.
“I decided to stick with art because it allows me to express myself and be creative,” she said. “I feel I am connecting with people through this experience of becoming an artist. The past couple years I have been in art class, I would make art and give it away. I do this to connect with the people surrounding me, as I feel they would appreciate it more. Whether they inspire me or I inspire them, art is always connecting us.”
Students also felt a connection with the art teachers, saying the support and creative outlet they provided allowed them the freedom to create.
“The teachers are great, and I get to spend time with my friends doing what I love,” said Mark Boyle, who will be attending Bowling Green State University to study Studio Art. “I’m taking away experiences that will last with me for the rest of my life, and I get to learn about things that I otherwise wouldn’t have gotten to.”
“I enjoy creating and crafting, but most of all I wanted the opportunity to work with Mr. (Lloyd) Triggs and wanted to experience four years learning from him,” said Calla Higgins, who will also be attending BGSU, studying human development and family sciences. “The arts are a creative outlet for me. Visual art in particular has helped me learn to work around mistakes and let me have more whimsy in my life.”
Seeing the progression of their students is a highlight for the instructors who have seen them grow and expand their skill sets and creativity throughout high school. After 20 years of teaching, Lloyd Triggs still sees how art can impact his students, whether or not they become professional artists.
“The show at the end of their senior year displays a body of work that reflects growth, experimentation, and problem-solving,” he said. “It is also a representation of their personalities and interests. We get to know them over the years and work closely with them on different projects. I love seeing it all come together as they present their work in this final show. Some of the pieces we haven’t seen for years, others are barely dry.
“I hope that students take away an appreciation of art,” he continued. “If they don’t go into an art-related field, they can still be makers, buyers, or supporters.”
