Spartan artists display their dexterity

The+WS+Pyramid+Art+Show+had+numerous+visitos%2C+all+to+check+out+the+artwork+of+students+from+the+area.

The WS Pyramid Art Show had numerous visitos, all to check out the artwork of students from the area.

Emily Bordelon, Viewpoint Editor

For the past 12 years, students from eight schools have participated in the annual WS Pyramid Art Show.
The Art Show features student work from six different elementary schools in West Springfield (Orange Hunt, West Springfield, Keene Mill, Hunt Valley, Cardinal Forest, and Rolling Valley), as well as students from Washington Irving and WS.
“Representing WS are [students in] Saffron’s computer graphics design, Swaggard’s photography, and Rhem’s [Art 1-3 classes, and AP Studio Art]” said Katherine Rhem
The art from WS students includes a mix of traditional work from Rhem’s students, Film Assignments from Swaggard, and nontraditional work from Saffron’s students.
“Any time that you can get a group of artists, students and parents together for an evening of just viewing “Art” thru the eyes of different age groups is a good thing,” said Swaggard who has always had a positive experience with the art show.
For her and other involved, the art show provides their students an opportunity for the them to not only showcase their art, which they’ve put hours upon hours of work in, but also a chance to see other students’ art.
“[The show] gives [students] a chance to see a professional environment [and] to see how far [they have] come,” said Rhem.
Many students involved in the show also enjoy having the opportunity to showcase their artwork and see their peer’s work.
“It’s really cool to have put so much work [into our art] and [to have] it displayed for people to enjoy,” said Junior Catherine Kiser, a Computer Graphics 3 and Studio Art student.
Senior Lily Donahue, the sole representative of AP Studio Art in the art show, shares in Kiser and the teachers’ feelings.
“I think it was really helpful to be able to see all my peer’s work there next to mine so I can compare myself to them and see elementary school work,’ said Donahue. “I saw a lot of talent.”
This year that art show was held at a new venue: the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton.
“[It’s like a] little Torpedo Factory,” said Rhem. “[It] only opened a few years ago. [There are] 10 buildings [and] each building has their own little specialty. [There’s] glass slumping, ceramics, [and] all sorts of paintings.”
The Workhouse was previously an old women prison that before it was converted to a studio space where people can enroll in classes, sign up for different camps, and receive tutoring.
During it’s time in the Workhouse, the Art Show spent its time in the administration building and, during the show’s open reception, the place was packed with artists, their family and friends visiting the show and the work that inhabits it.
“The Workhouse was an experiment to see how the Springfield Community would react to another venue to exhibit Art,” said Swaggard. “It was a small gallery. Too many parents, in a confined space.”
Despite the crowded-ness, the people visiting the gallery appeared to enjoy it.
Zack Chamblee, an elementary student who was checking out his art work during the open reception, said, “[The art show was] a lot of fun!”
While the art show was full of WS artwork, a smaller art show specifically for senior work from all levels and all kinds of art classes took place in Spartan Hall during April.
The Pyramid Art Show and the Senior Art Show are great opportunities for students to showcase their work and see what their peers have been working on, and said Swaggard,
“[It’s a way to show] how art fulfills a common thread of creativity.”