On the west side of Manhattan lies a vibrant community known as the Chelsea Arts District. Ornamented in unassuming buildings, art galleries line the streets. Each exhibit is strikingly unique and relevant to present times, with artists utilizing late 20th century methods, materials, and subjects. The art found in Chelsea is largely contemporary, meaning it pertains to the modern day. LHS art students had the chance to experience it for themselves on the annual Chelsea Gallery field trip on November 7.
Organized by art teachers Tom Sena, Michael Kunz, and Vincent Lentini, students from their respective classes – Portfolio Preparation, AP Painting and Drawing, and Printmaking and Sculpture–attended. Sena explained the value of the trip for the students and curriculum: “We feel, as a department, that having such close access to some of the best contemporary art in the world right in ‘our own backyard’ would be a fantastic resource for our students to see ‘real world’ artwork and what type of work the art industry is recognizing. Getting the kids out of the classroom environment and seeing techniques and materials we have taught and spoken about at length reinforces the validity of our curriculum.” Art students at LHS learn to use an extensive range of techniques with an equally extensive range of materials. The Chelsea gallery trip gave students an opportunity to witness those elements applied in new and different ways. In addition, many students can often relate to the art, considering it reflects the contemporary world–one which they will soon be entering. “A lot of the art, I think, represented different emotions and feelings. Like, there was one exhibit with different stripes as art, but they were labeled things like ‘Happiness’ and ‘Childhood.’ All the different colors spoke their own meanings,” junior Isabella Garcia reflected.
For many students, the trip was also a productive way to draw inspiration for their future projects. “Some galleries that I visited used texture art or stippling, which inspired [my current] piece. Also, color pallets…some art used vibrant colors that I’ve never really used before,” recalled senior Maha Ajmal. In addition, some students had the chance to speak to an artist in the contemporary field, allowing them to gather insight into life as an artist. “At the last gallery I visited, the artist was in the gallery showcasing his work. I really appreciated the fact that I was able to talk to the artist and understand his thought process,” Ajmal added.
The students were encouraged to collect the gallery cards, pamphlets, or other handouts as they explored the different exhibits. Students also had the flexibility to view each exhibit at their own pace, as well as enjoy the highline and surrounding streets in small groups. On the bus back home, students could be heard chatting excitedly about what they saw. Sena described it as “a melting pot of ideas and feedback.” The reactions of the students indicate that it was a successful trip, one that can be expected to continue in future years.
