The month of March, also known as Youth Art Month, serves as a time to praise young, creative artists. During this month, it is common to see student artwork on display in school hallways, public libraries, and even museums. Senior Ally McGehee has been chosen as March’s Artist of the Month.
McGehee has been creating art since she joined Mrs. Lee’s foundation art class in eighth grade. Now, in her senior year, her appreciation for art and her improvements have evolved with her.
“I picked up art classes again in my sophomore and junior years,” McGehee said. “Since then, I have done Foundation Art, Ceramics, and Commercial Arts.”
Her motivation to continue taking art classes for four years is driven by the need to fill a blank canvas, flat piece of paper, or sculpt a smooth block of clay. The yearning to create has impelled her the most.
“The idea of taking something that was empty space and creating something that is visually appealing and brings people joy inspires me the most,” McGehee said. “Right now, for example, I am making a giant paper-mache lollipop with the hope someone sees that and instantly thinks, ‘I wish I had some candy.’
With art teacher Dani Perry’s class as her first period, McGehee comes into school with the opportunity to do something she loves and work with people that encourage her to improve.
“I have been around many artists in all of my classes, and seeing what they can do with anything set in front of them is incredible,” McGehee said. “I always push myself to work like them, and it has helped develop my skills.”
Out of all of the materials at her disposal in the art room, her favorite is clay. However, outside of school, a different medium interests her.
“I really enjoy painting when I get home,” McGehee said. “I think it is tied with my love for clay.”
Among the Art Department, McGehee’s teachers praise her for her attention to detail in all of her art classes and her personality when interacting with her peers and teachers. McGehee strives to look for the positives in artwork her fellow art students struggle with and tries to uplift them when they dislike their pieces.
“She is always willing to help classmates, make jokes, run errands, and overall just helps out when needed,” art teacher Dani Perry said in an email. “She genuinely seems to value the opinions of her teachers and peers and takes that into consideration when making her art.”
Although Youth Art Month has come to a close, McGehee’s appreciation for young artists drawing, scoring, and slipping continues. McGehee urges aspiring adolescents to keep the tools in hand, and their aprons tied behind their backs.
“Push yourself to create whatever you can,” McGehee said. “Enjoy your art, and the process of making it.”
