Hallways Turned Into Galleries

By JANELL MALDONADO

Last Friday night, the usually quiet halls of Washingtonville were completely transformed into colorful, creative spaces full of energy and talent. The annual school art show brought together students, parents, and teachers to celebrate the incredible work of our student artists.

As people walked through the school, they were greeted by walls covered in paintings, drawings, photos, and sculptures. You could hear murmurs of “Wow!” and “Look at that one!” as everyone admired the artwork. The smiles and proud looks on the relatives’ faces said it all. For many students it meant a lot to have their work recognized.

Students had been preparing for weeks, and in some cases, months. Bella Meyer, one of the student artists, voiced, “The cat and dog mugs I made took me three weeks to finish. I used a lot of techniques I’ve learned, and I’m really proud of how they came out.” She explained how much time and care went into getting every detail just right. Like Bella, many students were excited to finally see their hard work on display for friends, family, and classmates.

One of the coolest things people noticed while walking through the exhibit was how realistic some of the portraits were. A few drawings of people’s faces were so detailed and accurate that anyone could instantly tell who they were. Students, and even teachers, recognized the faces right away. It was honestly impressive how much time and attention the artists put into the drawing just through pencil and shading. You could see the effort they put into every line.

Art shows like this do more than just showcase talent, they help students grow. Creating and sharing artwork builds confidence, teaches patience, and gives students a way to express things they can’t always put into words. Seeing their art appreciated by others can be a huge boost and make them feel like your voice matters.

Karina Santana, artist from Washingtonville exclaimed, “Getting recognized for my artwork of my own is such a good and rewarding feeling. Having other pieces of my artwork displayed in the art show gives me the feeling of fulfillment.” She continues by mentioning that working so hard and spending so much time on her art classes and walking around seeing everyone else’s hard work is an inspiring experience.

The 2025 art show was more than just an event—it was a reminder of how important creativity is in school. As the night ended, one thing was obvious: the students of Washingtonville High School have serious passion and talent.