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Art in the Airport
The latest installment of the Art in the Airport exhibit is now on display, but this time, the art may be more relevant and relatable than ever before.
The fifteen pieces of OCS student artwork hanging in the Albert J. Ellis Airport all have one common thread: a theme of resiliency. As the world faces an unprecedented, shared experience during the gobal COVID-19 pandemic, resiliency is a recurring theme. As events are cancelled, families are distanced and challenges are faced, we continue to rely on the resiliency of the human spirit to keep hope for a healthy future.
Izabella Wernett, a student at Richlands High School, chose to address the pandemic directly with her collage piece “Wear a Mask.”
“We all know wearing a mask is a pain,” she said, “but I think if we really wear them, it'll all be over before we know it. This art piece shows even with a mask you can show new ways to express yourselves even if it's not showing your nose or mouth.”
Izabella’s teacher, Renee Tripp, shared her thoughts on the piece, saying that it captures the collective experience of COVID-19.
“I enjoyed this piece from Izabella because not only is it was beautifully done, but it captures the essence of what we live daily as we continue to navigate COVID-19 and all the restrictions that come with it,” she observed. “The mask hides the students' face, but it also highlights their eyes. The concept of eyes has been explored in art because they are referenced as being the window to the soul... The viewer's eyes are drawn in by the color and emphasis created by the mask being red, but the artwork keeps your attention by further examining the person who's behind the mask.”
Other students, such as Swansboro High’s Hazel Eggers, approached the resiliency theme from a different perspective. Hazel drew her Uncle Jimmy, a Marine veteran injured in combat, who she credits with overcoming “obstacles that not many people are able to overcome,” all while maintaining a smile.
“Uncle Jimmy has truly faced difficulty and he did it with a smile on his face,” she shared. “He was injured by and IED and lost his vision in his left eye and the lower half of his right arm, but he never let life's difficult struggles take away his smile and courageous attitude. I think that shows incredible resiliency.”
On how she thinks her piece reflects the times we are facing due to COVID-19, Hazel said that while so many of us are focused on all the negatives things the pandemics has challenged us with, people like her Uncle Jimmy continue to be a light in dark times.
“People like my Uncle Jimmy are the ones who have a true impact during times like these. People like him, who are always smiling and don't let things like COVID-19 determine his happiness. So, this piece reflects what we are all experiencing right now because if we all adopted an attitude like my Uncle Jimmy's, I know we would all be way better off.”
Throughout the pandemic, the OCS Cultural Arts Department has worked diligently to provide opportunities for artistic expression through visual art, music and more. According to teachers, these opportunities have been made a priority to help students express the complex emotions they have been experiencing during unprecedented times.
“This pandemic has emotionally affected all of us, especially our youth,” said SBHS art teacher Hali Moritz. “It is important that, as teachers, we help the students to stay in touch with how they are feeling and develop an outlet for these emotions. What better what to do that than to engage in artistic expression?”
Tripp, echoing the sentiments on the importance of art during uncertain times, said, “While people have been locked down in their homes or on quarantine, art and other avenues of expression like music and dance have allowed people to not to lose their connection with humanity and maybe even sanity.
“It has helped to pass time in a way that was productive and rejuvenating to the human spirit.”
You can view all 15 pieces of featured artwork and read more about the artists here: Art in the Airport.