Behind the Brushstrokes: The Legacy 100 Art Show
With each fleeting moment, the date of The Legacy 100 Art Show slowly creeps its way closer and closer. The teachers of Drawing and Painting, Pottery, Art Foundation, and other arts all sound their alarms to remind students of their limited time left. “The challenging thing about the final few days as students work to complete their pictures is that in our dialogue, I must be at the same time both more demanding and more trusting,” says Mr John Luna, Drawing and Painting Teacher.
Splashes of paint and chunks of clay and wood litter the studios as the students closely follow suit, working hastily to finish and improvise their artworks in time. Georgia S, Allard ‘26 and skilled painter, states “As someone who has had artworks in the show before, I can confirm that it’s definitely an honor to be showcased. I’ve been working hard on [this painting assignment] lately and I really hope it makes it in!”.
It is very clear that many students strive to have their art showcased —like Georgia, for example - however, why is this the case? Is it for fame, glory, or something completely different? In order to better answer this question, I asked two students about their feelings regarding having their art showcased. The first, Clara H, Alex ‘26, gave the heartwarming answer “I want to make my father proud by getting my piece into the show”. The second, Lucas K, a Whittall ‘26 3D artist and painter, quickly admitted “I want my art in the art show because I want validation”. Although these reasons - for the most part - are quick and concise, they are just as true and motivating nonetheless.
Other than these motivations, the exhibition also provides the opportunity for students to learn and grow. Students can obtain feedback and critique from a larger audience than just their teacher, experiment with different artistic styles, build self-esteem and confidence, and experience moments of resilience against due dates and other difficulties. Additionally, the exhibition allows students to discover new interests by enjoying a variety of new media.
With The Legacy 100 Art Show so close, it is already clear that this year’s exhibition will be stellar. Whether a student’s artwork is showcased or not, this show is a celebration of every student’s creativity, skill, and hard work.
Thank you to all of the students and staff for putting the show together. An art show is nothing without its artists, but it is also nothing without the people behind the scenes, working hard to make it happen.
Christian M, Privett ‘26