For at least a decade, if not more, Visual Arts teachers at Columbia High School have held a faculty exhibition in the fall, as a way to inspire students to explore art, as well as to teach their students critical thinking skills and to practice visiting a gallery before their classes venture to galleries in New York City and elsewhere.
The exhibition is also in the fall to coincide with back-to-school night, when the CHS Domerecki Gallery is open for parents to pop in.
This year’s exhibit features four artsist/teachers from the Visual Arts faculty: AP Studio Art and Art History teacher Dr. Kandice Stewart, Fashion Design and Ceramics teacher Karen Murphy, Art teacher Curtis Grayson, III and computer graphics and drawing teacher Cindy Malhotra, all of whom also have also shown their work in other gallery exhibitions and continue to create art outside of teaching.
“Our teachers don’t just teach art, they practice it, and this exhibit shows that. Seeing their work in the Domerecki Gallery reminds our students that creativity is a lifelong pursuit, and it reflects the passion and talent our faculty bring to the classroom every day. We’re proud of them and grateful to our community for supporting the arts in our schools,” said James A. Manno, Supervisor of the Arts for the South Orange-Maplewood School District.
CHS Art teachers, from left, Curtis Grayson III, Karen Murphy, Kandice Stewart and Cindy Malhotra in front of their art that is part of the Crossroads Faculty Art Exhibition. (Photos by Laura Griffin)
The teachers say they bring their classes into the gallery to look at all the art and think about how it makes them feel and what they think the artists were trying to convey. And also to teach them how gallery spaces work.
“This is a launching pad for when we go to New York, so they’ll know how to act and how to handle themselves,” said Grayson.
Murphy said that seeing the art and what it’s made of, it’s layers and textures, gives students a better understanding of art.
“I compare it music. When you see your favorite musical artists live, it brings more meaning to the music,” Murphy said. said. “…They don’t understand the level of thinking that they’re engaged in; rigor is built into the process. They’re thinking at a high level when they’re engaged in [discussions of] art.”
Mahotra said it’s good for students to see their teachers, who are long-time artists, “practicing what we preach.”
With the four artists in the faculty show all having different styles, Stewart said, it’s inspiring for students, who can see that it’s ok to develop their own style.
“We’re an eclectic group, and seeing so much variety shows them there’s no one way to be an artist,” she said.
