Art has been essential to human expression for over 40,000 years, beginning with ancient cave paintings. Since then, it has evolved into the study of visual art, including paintings, sculptures, architecture, and many other forms. Not only that, but it serves as a mirror to reflect beliefs, showing society’s values and cultural identity.
By taking even one art class, many realize that art is much more than a beautiful piece of work; it’s a story being told, whether it is through a canvas or through music. All art forms begin with a narrative and end up as a beautiful masterpiece, even if it starts as a doodle.
“I would doodle all the time in school and at home, and doing it every day just made me more interested in what I can make,” senior Samantha Palmerin said.
While Palmerin discovered her passion for art through doodling, helping her reduce stress, calm her mind and improve her mood. According to Crown Counseling, in just 45 minutes, art can lower cortisol levels by 25%, and once those levels reach 71% art-therapy participants experienced reduced anxiety. Senior Joy Barajas found her peace in art in a different way than Palmerin. Through artistic expression, Barajas saw how her emotions were reflected in a creative way.
“What made me realize I had a passion for art was when I realized art was all about emotion and evoking feeling rather than precision and skill and cleanliness, but instead whatever you want it to be,” Barajas said.
Students often feel overwhelmed due to the expectations placed on them through school or other stressful aspects of life. This makes it difficult for students to complete tasks, such as homework; however, art can be a huge escape from reality, just like it is for Palmerin.
“When feeling any emotion, I can rely on art, which I believe a lot of other students can agree on, regardless [of whether they think they’re bad at it or not],” Palmerin said. “Art is calming and brain-focused, which allows room for creativity and open imagination.”
Although school can feel like a negative place at times due to judgment and pressure to be successful, it can also help students discover their passions. By giving students the option to take an art class, they have an opportunity to open up.
“Ms. Da Costa has been my art teacher for all of the art classes I have taken at Sequoia. She pushed me to really [put] time into my craft, instead of creating impulsively. Seeing pictures online or being outside is also a huge inspiration, especially when you’re feeling your worst,” Palmerin said. “Having a great support system of friends also helps, whether it’s three friends or ten people. Sometimes, all you need is the people closest to you, who won’t bring you down.”
Art gives students an understanding of where inspiration can be found. Not only to help the students inside class, but to extend beyond, pushing students beyond their comfort zone. Society is very judgmental, but when it comes to art people have an opportunity for personal expression without feeling like others are judging them. Through art, there is beauty in what emotions have helped create.
“During my lowest times in high school, art was there for me as a safe space where I could evoke emotion without saying a word. I remember being put into Mrs. Torres’s drawing and painting class, and although I didn’t pick [that class], I’m glad I was put into it,” Barajas said. “She helped me really get back into art without even realizing it. I remember being anxious and scared anytime she’d see my art, [whether] I thought she didn’t like [the piece] or me, because she always said [that] we could add more. [At first] I took that negatively, but then I realized she just always saw more potential in me than I saw in myself.”
Not only is art good for students, but it’s also effective with teachers, like art teacher Ms. Da Costa. She drew on the passion she had had since she was a little girl to give her students the opportunity to express themselves without needing to speak verbally, sharing her love and passion for art with them.
“I love sharing that with students and giving them the opportunity to think for themselves, express themselves, their voices, and their truths. Teaching art to teenagers brings together two of my passions: connecting with people and art. I feel super fulfilled by my job because I get to bring these passions together and work with and learn from all my students,” Costa said.
Ultimately, art allows for both expressive and the telling of a narrative. Voices tend to be unheard when speaking, but once that voice is reflected into the form of art, it forces one to listen. When feeling emotionally or physically trapped, art gives people the freedom of creativity to be their true self.