Maryam S./Staff

The Middle School hosted its second annual art show on April 22, displaying over 50 pieces of artwork in the 8th-grade hallway. The exhibit showcases works from Mrs. Rusnak’s 7th and 8th-grade studio art students, along with select works from the 6th grade. 

Unlike the Lower School art show, this exhibit did not follow a central theme. Instead, students selected one to two pieces from the projects they completed during the semester, and they crafted an artist statement with a short description of the work to accompany it.

The exhibit featured a range of media, including oil pastel, acrylic paint, pencil, and markers. Rusnak designs projects around different media, giving students the chance to explore and work with a variety of techniques. She pushes for student choice over strict instructions and offers guidance when needed. Each project builds specific skills, from a two-point perspective to portraits and ceramics, and students add their own creative twist, making each piece unique. 

“It brings vibrancy to the middle school, and it is really exciting to be included in the schoolwide art display,” Rusnak says. She says her favorite part is “Seeing the students walk through and look at their work and seeing them show their families, and they feel proud of what they have created.” 

Eighth-grade artist Byron C. said he likes the “pizzazz” the show brings to the hallway. His favorite project is the oil pastel animal eye, which he says stood out because “It was fun to work with oil pastels, and I like that we could choose which animal we drew.”

Parents were invited to view the exhibit, which runs until May 4.