By Isaac Halsey
Last year, PDHS’s art team painted two beautiful murals and designated a wall in the learning commons for art. After those projects, engagement within the group dwindled.
This year the creativity-based club at PDHS is looking to start up again, but it won’t be easy.
Mrs. MacMillan, an art teacher and the staff advisor for the Art Team, spoke on the difficulty of starting and maintaining this club: “There’s been a club throughout my years teaching here depending on the students that are interested in having a club,” she said.
Last year's club was started by two grade 12 art students. They got it going, and the name was revamped to the art team. The beginning of last year saw high interest in the club, but because of circumstances with the Covid-19 lockdown in January and getting back from the break, they didn’t have as many students.
With the two students who lead Art Team graduating, that hole is needed to be filled with senior art students for the program to start . The art teacher and club supervisor also said she would like some senior art teachers to help
Commitment is the biggest challenge for this club, she emphasized. The team is project-based, so it only runs “if there’s a need and a project.”
MacMillan said some students are interested in putting up art around the school but are unsure of the commitment level of students.
“If you’re going to commit to doing something that would be a mural, we can’t just start it and leave it unfinished, you have to be able to commit and see it through,” MacMillan said.
Some years, Art Team won’t happen if there isn’t enough interest from students.
There is another approach to running the team, though.
“I have talked to some younger grades, maybe like a workshop here or there instead of running all year,” she stated. MacMillan would prefer a team, though:, “Murals are more of a big impact, they help our school.”
Without a robust and committed team, her classes might have to do murals and other projects as group projects in class, rather than having a specific group creating at lunch.
The club tends to run from November to April, MacMillan said. With exams and jobs paired with nicer weather, the team isn’t tackling any projects much later. She plans for the club/team to run Wednesdays at lunch, but again, “if I have senior students, that will come forward and take it on.”
To join, you will need your student card. Everybody is welcome; no experience is needed. Any students interested in being a leader of the Art Team are preferred to be art students, but it’s not a hard rule.
“We’re more inclusive than just art students,” MacMillan laughed.
There will be an announcement soon asking about interest and student leaders.
The club hopes to thrive this year now that Covid-19 restrictions have loosened, but dedication from teachers, senior and junior students, and artists of PDHS will be the deciding factor.
Special thanks to Mrs. MacMillan for the interview.