TCS hosts 1st Annual Art Walk

By Samantha DePriest

It’s not a little known secret that Trinity Christian School has been developing an Arts program for quite some time. Art is woven throughout all grades in our school and the growth is evident in students work from our advanced art classes. Middle School and High School Art teachers Mrs. Hackworth and Mrs. Simonton were instrumental in launching the Arts at TCS during their tenure here. Since then the baton has been passed to Mrs. Cook, high school Art teacher, and Ms. Boone, middle school art teacher who are passionate about developing artists. Providing students with artistic confidence and knowledge is empowering and key in cultivating creativity as they tell stories through their artistic expression. The idea was presented to incorporate an Art Walk during the Spring Concert Series. What better way to celebrate and honor these talented students for their hard work than by hosting the 1st Annual TCS Art Walk.

High School Principal Mrs. Jones shares, “This past week, TCS High School Art Department presented their first Annual Spring Art Walk showcasing the talents of our Art students in both Middle and High School. They were pleased to show a piece from each art student, from Visual Arts 1 classes to the Honors Studio Art class, and the AP/AP+ class. The artwork was displayed in the Student Lounge of the High School in Building 5, one hour before the Spring Concerts. We hope you had a chance to check it out, but in case you missed it, here is a glimpse of the talent that was on display.”

Mrs. Cook, High School Art teacher, shared “This years Art walk, our first ever for TCS, was such a meaningful event! It was an honor for me to get to be a part of showing all the talent growing here at TCS. We had artwork displayed from 60 high school students ranging from 9th - 12th grade. We showed paintings, drawings, sculpture, mixed media, and pastel work - and it was a joy to show off these students‘ talents and skills. It meant so much to each artist to see their work matted, standing on an easel, and receiving praise from all the crowds coming through each night of the walk. There are so many artistic opportunities here in our high school art department. I’m beyond proud of these students and their God-given talents and I can’t wait to see all what they will do next!“

Ms. Boone, Middle School Art teacher, shared, “This show meant so much to the Art Department at TCS. It gave our students a change to show all of these amazing, God given talent to others. This was their chance to shine. They have never had the chance to see their work hung up on a wall and that gives an artist a sense of pride. My students were able to hear how well they are were doing. These artists will now be encouraged and feel like they have their own place of belonging at TCS.”

Ms. Boone was inspired by the various mediums their students used, “We had various different mediums in the students work. They used colored pencils, water colors, acrylic paint, markers, crayons, sketching pencils, and one of my students used sand from her recent beach trip.”

Some of the middle school art students shared:

“The art show made me feel important.”

“Being a part of the first annual art show was meaningful.”

“Having my piece in the art show challenged me to always do better.”

“It made me feel proud.”

When asked what advice they would share with other students interested in art, middle art students shared:

“You have to practice in order to get better.”

“Don’t be nervous and doubt yourself. Challenge yourself to put in the work. Don’t be afraid to try art.”

Ms. Boone encourages upper elementary students moving up to middle school in the fall to consider taking her art class. “I would say to rising 6th graders to not be afraid to try out Art. My Art class is a place they are all welcome to express their own creativity. God has given all of us different talents. My classes are a place you can join in at any level. It is a place to feel like you belong. MS Art is fun! We laugh and have fun together. Art club is also a great way to have time drawing and creating crafts. Art is fun and I want all of my students to feel welcome. I want more than anything for them to know they are loved by Jesus and created for His purpose. I hope they feel that in my classroom.”