Art is more than just a class at Eleanor Roosevelt High School; it is a space where creativity, identity, and self-expression come to life. Across a wide range of art classes, including drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, and digital design, students are encouraged to explore different art styles while developing their own artistic voices. Every classroom at ERHS shows a unique atmosphere, from the focused students sketching away to the lively vibe of those editing digital pieces or sculpting clay into unique shapes.
This photo story highlights the diverse talents of ERHS students and the individuality behind each artwork. Some pieces tell personal stories, while others experiment with realistic details and bold colors. Together, they all represent not only the skills of ERHS students but also the imagination and dedication of the students who created them.
By sharing these pieces of art, we want to recognize the efforts of these talented students and the supportive environment built by our wonderful art teachers who inspire them to keep going. Art at ERHS is not just about the finished product but also about growth, confidence, and collaboration. These images commend the creativity and talent that make our school community unique and high-spirited.
Adrianna Ayala Gonzalez, a Sophomore art student, created this piece for a music and clay project she was assigned. She took inspiration from the song “My Lucky Stars” by Tupperwave, allowing the dreamy, jazz and electronic inspired track to influence the composition of her sculpture. This project depicts a starry night sky above a city of tall buildings and lights, reminiscent of our city-scapes here in the DC-Maryland area.
Greta Wedge, Freshmen, takes a more leisure approach to art class. She sees it as a break during her everyday schedule, where she can relax while also getting the art credits she needs to graduate. Being presented with the opportunity to use multiple different mediums and materials for this assignment, this jump started her creativity and inspired her to create something more abstract.
Richmond Mwangi, a Sophomore at ERHS, finds that art is a great way to express who he is as an individual. He enjoys things like “skating and listening to music,” his pieces of art are a reflection of “who [he] is and what [his] personality is like.” He wanted to incorporate all his special interests into one art collage, including things like internet memes, music collectives and fashion brands.
Senior Marilyn Phan, has been invested in taking art classes and honing her skills for years now. Primarily keeping up with her academic career as an artist to pursue her creativity and challenge herself, she describes her art classes as “enjoyable, rewarding” and “transformative”. Her piece, titled “a deadly attraction”, is a self-portrait with depictions of moths (inspired by the cover of the 1991 film “The Silence of the Lambs”) which “symbolize transformation and rebirth”, as well as a vibrant. while also mellow, red and black background.
Violet Stallings, a Senior at ERHS, joined one of the many art classes offered at ERHS, specifically AP Art, because she “wanted to have a class where [she] was pushed to create the best art [she] could” and “[she] also wanted to be able to earn college credits doing a subject [she] enjoy[s].” Stallings utilizes art class to help her express herself by giving her “a space to create [her] art and be creative and expressive.” Since she doesn’t “have much time on [her] own to create art, so art class was [her] free time to do it.” The pieces above were submitted in her AP Art portfolio, where the theme was the nostalgia of childhood. Stallings expresses that “these art pieces mean a lot to me because they are drawing of pictures from my childhood.” She also adds that “these two pieces have both won multiple awards and have shown [her] what [her] art is capable of.”
Gabriella Mbakop, Sophomore at ERHS, joined art class as a way to take her art to the next level. She wanted to use this opportunity as a way to “make a portfolio, grow in [her] experience and use this in [her] future resume.” Mbakop’s first piece “immaculates the beauty of African women.” Her dark background is meant to represent the light that sub saharan women are viewed in, which is a negative connotation by society. Mbakop shares that “in order to truly capture the beauty of these women, [she] contrasted darker colors with brighter and more vivid colors.” For her second piece, Mbakop took inspiration from her Cameroonian heritage to create a village. She shares how she wanted to “ show the reality of a country that is viewed in a negative light” with something that shows a more realistic side, with bright colors and unity with the people.
Madison Wilson, Freshman at ERHS, has had a passion for art her entire life. She shares that “art class feel like an amalgamation of [her] passion and creativity.” Wilson would also like to mention that her art teacher, Mrs. Gaskins, has played a huge role in her continued love of art. Mrs. Gaskins has always “supported and given [her] loads of opportunities” to continue expanding on her artwork. Wilson created this piece to express her personality and share her love for “horror, clowns and cats.” She feels as though they reflect “the fun silly part” of her personality, as well as the strange aspects and her ”love for the cute, soft aspects of life.”
Jaylianna Majano, Junior at ERHS chose to take Art as a way to challenge herself and step out of her comfort zone. Majano created this piece of art to “show off [her] creativity and skill.” When choosing her courses, she decided art class was the best way to challenge herself both “mentally and creatively.”
