New art facilties at Jackson High School open up possibilities for students, teachers

With natural light pouring in through a wall of windows at Jackson High School, Luke LeGrand's Art I students sketched and painted a still-life display in the center of the room.

After settling into the new art facilities, LeGrand said the space is a far cry from the cramped basement classroom he had before.

"Maybe there's something romantic about making art in the basement, but this is a lot better," he said.

He said space and storage are the main advantages of the new rooms. He now has three closets, compared to one in the old facility. Before, students stored their projects wherever they could find a spot, he said.

With the extra classroom space, students have the opportunity to spread out and do projects such as the still-life paintings, something he said was a more difficult task before the upgrade.

Dakota Winchel, right, talks about the new art facility at Jackson High School during her Painting II class with Becky Michelson, left, and Joanna Lee. (FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com)

As she sketched the outline of a bowl and leaves, Robyn Bowen said the new room is an improvement.

"It's easier to pay attention because we're not so crowded together," said Bowen, a sophomore.

In the other new art classroom, Andrea Talley's Painting II students worked on self-portraits.

Dakota Winchel, a junior, shaded in the background colors of a Mardi Gras mask. She said the art students banded together to help with the move, carrying supplies from the old classroom.

"You could tell everyone was excited," Winchel said.

Jackson High School students paint a still life in the new art facility. (FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com)

Talley said she can teach more effectively with room to demonstrate techniques and walk around to help students individually.

She said her students will also be able to tackle larger projects.

"I just see the art department exploding now," Talley said.

For most of the school year she said she worked out of boxes because supplies were packed up for the move that was delayed throughout the year.

To prepare for the transition, she said she sorted through supplies left in storage from past teachers, including materials such as particle board and a box of fish tank sand. It will take the rest of the school year and summer to finish organizing the new room, she said.

The kiln is located in a separate room in the art facility at Jackson High School. (FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com)

"It's been a long haul, but we're getting there," Talley said.

Art students started class in the new facilities about two weeks ago. With the move, the first phase of the $20 million high school construction project is winding down. Superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson said bids for construction on the second phase will begin when architects and engineers finalize their plans.

The building that housed music and shop classes will be demolished and replaced with another building containing library and classrooms. Anderson estimated that part of the project at $7 million, depending on the bidding process.

He said electricians are putting the final touches on the sound system in the event complex and painters are completing detail work.

"We're getting very close over there," he said. "It's just a matter of, hopefully, a few weeks."

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

<B>Does this affect you?

Have a comment?

Log on to semissourian.com

Pertinent address:

315 S. Missouri Jackson, MO