Falling Into The Arts

Amazing artwork is created every day in the Visual Arts department at RPHS, but too often these projects are not seen by people who aren’t involved in the art world. Right now is a perfect time to catch up by visiting the Nuveen Center in Whitehall, the art gallery housing several RPHS artists in their annual “Fall Into the Arts” student show.

What is the Show?

The Nuveen Center in Whitehall has an annual art show for art students in local school districts. They have designed the show to be a fundraiser for the art programs that participate in the shows while creating an opportunity to professionally display artwork. The art show presents a different theme every year to inspire students. The theme for 2024 was “Discovering Space.” The 12 selected artworks from Reeths-Puffer High School students will be on display at the Nuveen Center in Whitehall until December 14th.

Student Artwork

Senior Morgan Rekeny is “super excited to be able to share (her) art with the community and also be able to look at all the hard work everyone else has put into their artwork.” Morgan’s piece Beyond the Surface was created with watercolor paint and colored pencil. Upon finding out the theme of the show, Morgan said, “I first thought of actual space, but then I wanted to make something of my own interest, but be able to correlate the theme into my artwork.” This is a practice and occasionally a challenge artists face when given a theme for creating art: finding a harmonious balance between the theme and interpretation, while being satisfied with their decision and its outcome. Morgan explained that her piece Beyond the Surface represents “the view of when you put on goggles and put your eyes to the waterline where you’re able to view both above and below the surface.”

Beyond the Surface, Morgan Rekeny, watercolor & colored pencil

Junior Phoebe Lê’s Challenger Tragedy is an acrylic painting. She was very conscientious when coming up with this piece regarding the theme Discovering Space. She said, “I wanted to make something worth remembering, and I wanted older generations to also be able to connect to my piece. I chose to paint about the Challenger explosion tragedy that occurred in 1986. I felt that it matched the theme due to the literal words of ‘discovering space,’ but I also wanted to represent how this historical event affected so many people.” She believes “it relates to the theme not only due to the literal idea of discovering space, but also how it meant to explore the unknown.” An active and dedicated artist, she said, “I feel very fortunate and happy that my artwork can be shown to many other people who enjoy art as much as I do.”

Challenger Tragedy, Phoebe Lê, acrylic

Junior Alyxzadria Lawrence took a three-dimensional route to make her piece Changing Mindset, created with a mix of media including wood, glass, and paint. Zadi said, “what went through my mind was discovering a different part of yourself mentally that is different from the world around you, a place you call peace.” Zadi abstracted her idea, yet she resonates with it and has an individual understanding of it.. Zadi said “...by discovering a mental space that you consider peace.” She said, “I feel very proud and grateful to have my artwork displayed in a gallery.”

Changing Mindset, Alyxzadria Lawrence, mixed media

It is fascinating to take a closer look into the creations made by the art students at R-PHS. Students are gracious for the opportunity to display their work in shows where not only their peers can view it, but an entire community, so check out the artwork on display before December 14th.

Fall into the Arts 2024: Discovering Space