SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE — Art students from St. Joseph and Marian high schools were invited to embrace their creativity under the instruction of Notre Dame graduate students during the recent High School Art Day.
During two sessions at Riley Hall of Art and Westlake Hall at Notre Dame, students participated in printmaking, ceramics, portraiture, paper engineering, book arts, postcard design, laser cutting and digital footwear design instruction.
Notre Dame graduate student Nathan Smith led the morning ceramics instruction for the students.
“They get their hands in a medium some haven’t worked with before. They get more experience in a university setting to help them create a portfolio,” said Smith, between giving instruction in how to create a cereal bowl and juice cup from clay.
During High School Art Day students have an
opportunity to view works in the Snite Museum at Notre Dame to get an understanding of the level of work that will be expected of them should they choose to pursue a career in art.
“It’s cool to see how students here have such an in-depth project to do so it gives me a perspective of what I have to do in college,” St. Joseph student Ethan Tschida said.
Marian student, Mackenzie Robinson agrees.
“I want to pursue art therapy in college, with a major in art and minor in psychology. This is my first time in a ceramics class but it gives me an idea of what I’ll be doing,” she said.
Research associate James Bellucci led the portraiture class and said he went through a similar program in high school that ultimately led him to study photography at the graduate level.
“I visited Shepherd University as a sophomore in high school and that’s where it all began for me. It was a good experience. I got my BFA in Maryland and went to Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester New York,” he said.
Students saw a slide lecture given by Bellucci about contemporary and historical portrait image makers before having the chance to use the photography equipment.
Marian senior Tim Morris said he felt the experience gave him a unique perspective.
“I want to major in graphic design and photography is part of that. I like this because I learn from other students versus teachers. It’s open and honest communication. The student is almost behind the scenes like learning from older brothers and sisters,” Morris said.
Students also take away skills from Art Day that they do not learn in high school art classes.
“This has helped me put my creative thoughts into work. This is more hands-on and shows us how to work in different situations rather than just Photoshop,” St. Joseph student MaClaine Capshew said.
