For months—and in some cases, years—the seniors at Maggie Walker Governor’s School have been painting, creating, and preparing for their capstone art presentation: the Maggie Walker Senior Art Exhibition.
In the Maggie Walker art program, Art 4 & 5 students focus on building a body of work and developing a personal theme. These classes involve group and individual critiques, gallery visits, and individual studio time spent producing their art. These students have worked tirelessly to prepare their work for a professional gallery environment, and are thrilled to share their hard work with family, friends, and the Richmond community.
The 2022 show is named The Great Senior Exhibition, styled after the Victorian era “Great Exhibition,” the 1851 World Fair which brought together inventions and oddities from all corners of the globe. The Great Senior Exhibition showcases the many styles and themes of artwork that the high school students have spent months developing. Featuring the work of twelve talented seniors, a wide range of topics will be explored and expressed.
Anna Yao (Art 5) uses digital animation as a medium for storytelling and surrealism. Through fashion, comics, and collage, Gwen Stankiewicz (Art 5) shines a light on perception and insecurity. Audrey Price (Art 5) has “a slice of history” to share, always keeping things loose, playful, and mysterious. Lexi Pasternak’s (Art 4) stories, creatures, and landscapes are ready to leap from the page. Savannah Cave (Art 5) explores themes of religion and spirituality in three dimensions. Matthieu Friedman (Art 5) challenges gender roles and societal norms through fashion and artistic experimentation. Hanna Ngai (Art 5) explores plastic pollution and the “duality of disposable permanence” one stitch at a time. Devyn Powers (Art 5) weaves emotions, memories and portraiture in a way that challenges both artist and viewer alike. With bold colors, thoughtful compositions, and eye-catching linework, Mallory French (Art 5) shows that the artmaking process need not be linear. Nate Williams (Art 4) studies abstract landscape by exploring painting with an emphasis on color and the power of an effective composition. Olivia Town’s (Art 4) work embraces fluidity in form, color, and approach. Kaitlyn Baker (Art 5) memorializes memories and loved ones with portraiture and tenebrism.
This show is a testament to the hard work of these seniors and their commitment to the art program at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School. We hope that you will join us for our opening from 6-8 pm the night of June 3 at Artworks Gallery (320 Hull St., Richmond, VA 23224). The event is free and open to the public. The exhibition runs until June 12, 2022.
