by Isaac Raymer

JHS has many after-school events that cover all sorts of hobbies, sports, and interests. One of these events is, of course, an art-based club that meets every Wednesday sponsored by art teacher Jennifer Beckman.

Beckman said that previously she was a photographer before she became a JHS teacher who would photograph areas for companies, such as their factories, mines, and other important shots for whoever she worked for at the time.

This photography job eventually led her to a scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design and study to become a teacher, and then get a job as a JHS art teacher.

Right as Beckman joined JHS she started to notice that there were a lot of students who wanted to get into art class, but just did not have the room in their schedule or weren’t in the right academies to be able to join  art class. So, she said that pushed her to host Art Club in her first year of teaching.

Since Art Club is completely self funded, she has a fair amount of creativity. Every week she does a different type of activity such as drawing, painting, clay, sculpting, and many more unique concepts that she likes to rotate as the week’s main activity. Generally $5 per project allows student artists to use all of the resources they need for their current project.

Even students not interested in the main activity at the weekly meeting can join their friends creating projects.

There are  also special activities that happen every so often, like field trips to art-related events such as museums, art shows, and anything that gives students the opportunity to grow as artists and just as people in general.

Beckman has said that her favorite part is seeing the community the Art Club makes from kids of every grade and how it feels like a family when they’re together, making for an “amazing environment.” for anyone who comes to join.