Tag: art

Art classes create expressive communities

by Micah Nef and Cella Hutton

Art has been around since 30,000 BP. It has been a stepping stone to the development of the human race and the world around us. When language failed to tell the story, art was there to turn the page. Today, art plays an important role in how society functions, as well as in the way people express their beliefs as individuals and as a whole. 

Art is essential to communities because it allows for expression in the school system. It allows for growth within the mind. Whether it’s poetry or digital design, it is vital to the development of high school students. It must be introduced; it is very important to their development, as it allows them to express themselves and helps them create new ideas and creations. And sometimes, the people behind the scenes help with this creative expression. 

Art teacher Hayleigh Gnagie is new this year at JHS; she’s been teaching for about a year and really loves her job. Before teaching at JHS, she was an art specialist at Franklin Square Elementary. She believes that art classes give students a break from busy school days.

“At Franklin it was a space to calm down and find peace of mind, and I want to bring that here,” she said.

Sophomore Anya Bushmann works on carving and stamping clay as part of her art assignment. Photo by Areli Hernandez.

Art is a great influence on students around the school and can help with real-life problems. Gnagie explained that art has helped her students improve problem-solving skills and creative thinking.

Sophomore artist Estella Young agreed.

“Art that takes a long time can improve patience. Not only that, but it can help with attention span and not giving up if you keep making mistakes,” said Young.

Young enjoys digital art. While she isn’t taking any art classes at school, she believes that art is important for high school students.

“Art can be a good creative outlet in case of stress. Lots of teens feel stress, and art is one of the Number 1 ways to get it all out,” she said.

In a world full of high stress, creative activities can also give students a way to escape or take a break. Similar to Gnagie’s peaceful elementary classroom, Young described art as providing a break from stress or bad moods.

“Making art can help give distractions for a bad day. You can draw things that make you happy, and/or you can use it to express yourself,” she stated.

Art is often about emotion, too. Art teacher Jennifer Beckman proves that. She has taught art for 23 years, with genuine love for her students. Beckman doesn’t hesitate to get her hands dirty or to work alongside her class.

Beckman explained that she wants to show her students that art isn’t about being perfect. While technique is important, the process of learning hands-on is the true takeaway.

In order to accomplish great things, artists have to work hard, said Beckman. She said wanted to be an artist since she was young. She got a degree in photography and later got a degree in art and began teaching.

“Art was one of three things I wanted to do as a kid. I wanted to be a photographer, artist, or a farmer,” she said.

Beckman shows that if you put your mind to something, you can do it. She hopes to leave her students in a creative place with open minds; she knows that it will be important for every student to see what art can be when the opportunities to create art are endless and always ready to begin anew.

Art teacher Jennifer Beckman engages with her ceramics students while working on their assignment on August 13. Photo by Areli Hernandez.
Junior Leland Lajoie, who is also a ceramics student, gives shape to his blueberry bowl as part of his assignment. Photo Areli Hernandez.
by jhshyphen

Welcoming Another Creative Mind:Mr. Ridings

After teaching at Parkview Middle School, Corey Ridings adds a new element to Jeffersonville High School’s art program.

Transitioning from a comfort zone can be a challenge, especially if it was for a long period of time. For Corey Ridings, former art teacher at Parkview Middle School, coming to Jeff High this year has been a new but good adjustment. After teaching at Parkview for 18 years, he decided to take the opportunity for a new change. As Mr. Ridings has said, “ So far, so good.” Boosting creativity around Jeff High might just be what we need.

Art teacher Corey Ridings
Hyphen Staff Photo


Mr. Ridings had always wanted to coach Varsity basketball. He had played basketball growing up, and it was always something he planned to do. To be a coach of any sport you have to have a teaching license. This is what led him to art. He enjoyed coaching, but he wasn’t committed like he should have been. “Gradually, about halfway through my teaching career … I started to be more passionate about art and in the process less about coaching.” At this point he knew that his initial future plan had changed direction.


His transition from teaching middle school students and then coming to Jeff High had been somewhat of an easy one. His reasons were, “I wanted to see what it was like to work with kids at a higher level,” says Ridings. “I needed a change,” he added.


He also enjoys working with students who have varying degrees of passion about art. “In middle school you’ve got a lot of kids that get art no matter what, and you still get that here a little bit. You have students who fall under the category of them getting art, and then you have the students who have no art background, and have to figure out a way to connect with them.”


He also works with students who are more experienced. “When you get into painting and drawing in upper level classes, you generally are going to get students who are passionate about art.” There is a constant flow of creativity. The colors draw people in, and captivate them. When there is time put into something, and there is passion, it can create something of meaning. “I try to teach them things so that if they see me in 20 years, something I said meant something to them.”


Regardless of what level students are at, Ridings says his priority is “quality over quantity.” . He explains, “My philosophy on teaching, especially with art, is it’s not just about getting something done, turning it in and getting a grade. It’s about mastering what the content is we are working on.” This gives the students the opportunity to work on something until that skill is mastered. This takes time and dedication, especially if it’s something you enjoy. You aren’t tested on your ability to do something, it’s more of the progression of your work and if there is improvement.


Ridings also looks for opportunities to boost creativity. In the past, he used meditation at the beginning of class to open the students’ minds and really boost that creative side of the brain. He hasn’t really seen an opening where that is needed for his high school students, so he’s not quite sure if he’ll bring that back. With the pandemic going on, he has focused more on how to communicate with students online and the way that each student approaches their art. All different, but all beautifully put together.

Story by Anna Hardin

by annaghardin