DeWitt High School Student Voice

Art refers to a diverse range of human activities, creations and expressions that are appealing to the senses or emotions of a human individual, according to Wiki-pedia. When we think of art, do we ever believe that one day we will learn and be taught different art forms that are common to the cultured world? Do we ever imagine not only trying to mimic these art forms, but also trying to add some of our personal twists to a piece? Most people probably don’t. But believe it or not, even in DeWitt (yes, you heard me), you can learn about and create great art.

At DeWitt High School, you can learn about popular artists and their many techniques. I know not everyone feels they are artsy, but there really is an artist of one form or another in all of us.

Teenagers can be as self-conscious as you can get. If you walk the school’s halls and observe the artwork, though, you’d be pretty impressed. The self portraits the Art I students draw are usually almost identical to what an artist would do. It’s not that these kids are miraculous artists, either; it’s because of the technique they use that makes it so much easier. Instead of free-handing the whole thing and worrying with tedious placement and measurements, they use a grid. They first grid a picture of themselves, and then grid a large sheet of paper to scale. They look at one square of the first grid and copy only that part of the picture to the corresponding square. They simply take the project on piece-by-piece. It’s really not as hard as it looks.

Let’s remember, though, for the students to be doing so well, they need a teacher who has a passion for art and teaching the students diligently. Ms. Hollye Jackson is that teacher. She teaches art 1, advanced art, pottery and advanced placement art. In any high school art class, you probably imagine just drawing, coloring and painting. But with Ms. Jackson, you are always in for a surprise.

Whoever heard of projects like cross contour still life, Pointillism, manikins in motions, or, my favorite, tempera batik? When you’re in your first art class and hear all these different types of projects, you may find yourself thinking, “What have I gotten myself into? I can’t do those things! I’m no artist!”

Ms. Jackson will constantly tell you, “You can.” She’s always telling me that, anyway. This is my third year to take an art class, and I always look forward to it. Where else can you completely paint your picture black, crumple it up, wash it off, and have an actual piece of art? (That’s a couple of steps from the tempera batik project, by the way.)

Art class can be a place for students to vent their raging hormones into their artwork by expressing themselves. Art helps the continuation of the molding of their minds and creativity. They become more cultured and open to abstract ways of thinking that subject their minds to question things they simply pass by each day. Apathy could now become a passion along with an inspiration for them.

For the quiet students who can’t speak publicly about their feelings or ideas, art, such as painting or sculpting, lets them communicate through their work on paper or in the clay. Dreams can now come to life on a canvas or across a blank piece of paper. Art lets the soul of a being be expressed without limits or boundaries.

That’s why I’m so glad that my school has a dedicated teacher who understands the importance of art and of the students learning it.

And next time you’re feeling creative. Do something. Express yourself. You might even find the artist inside of you.

County cleanup a success

DeWitt and Arkansas County are a lot cleaner than they were last Friday.

Build on assests, Square merchants told

DeWitt has an advantage over a number of small towns in that it has a collection of good buildings and good retail businesses. Now the city has to take these advantages and build on them.

‘All-new’ Wildlife Festival Saturday

Visitors to this year’s Wildlife Festival at the White River National Wildlife Visitors Center in St. Charles will find a lot of new activities. All of them, in fact.

‘Tired old bikers’ bring tour here

Doctors have for years recommended that seniors ride bicycles to get the plenty of exercise they need to stay active and healthy. Most doctors, however, might think that Tom O’Brien, 72, of Portland, OR, and Dave Siskind, 67, of Minneapolis, MN, go a bit — quite a bit — above and beyond the call.

Dragons (1-0, 1-3) beat Bald Knob, play at Marianna

The DeWitt Dragons struggled in their first three games, but last Friday night, they looked like world-beaters — or at least like a potential team.

Leibrock makes state tournament; Dragons fourth in regional golf

DeWitt High School golfer Hayden Leibrock qualified to participate in the Class 4A state tournament being held Oct. 8 at Eagle Crest Country Club in Alma. It will be hosted by Ozark High School.

DeWitt High School Student Voice

Art refers to a diverse range of human activities, creations and expressions that are appealing to the senses or emotions of a human individual, according to Wiki-pedia. When we think of art, do we ever believe that one day we will learn and be taught different art forms that are common to the cultured world? Do we ever imagine not only trying to mimic these art forms, but also trying to add some of our personal twists to a piece? Most people probably don’t. But believe it or not, even in DeWitt (yes, you heard me), you can learn about and create great art.

Gillett School Notes

Coming Events

Obituaries

Leibrock Jessup

Pilgrim Reflections

Precious memories