A new wave of exceptional student artwork is up for display at the central office as part of the third annual Superintendent’s Gallery.
Superintendent Tricia McManus proposed the gallery as a way to liven up the atmosphere in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools’ administrative buildings. Instead of long corridors full of bare walls, the central office could serve as an exhibit of the best paintings, drawings, photographs, collages, and more that the district’s talented young artists were creating in their art classes. Hundreds of pieces have graced the offices over the past few years, each a reminder of the district’s mission to enrich its scholars.
“We are in the business of educating children, so how do we fill these walls with something that represents them?” McManus said. “Their artwork was just the perfect touch for our buildings.”
Dozens of students whose submissions were chosen for this year’s collection attended the reception for the gallery on Thursday evening with their families. They got to take pictures and see their pieces hanging on the walls, where they will remain on display for a full year. The celebration of their work is only just beginning – central office employees are already looking forward to taking in all the new projects over the coming weeks and months.
“They get to display their creative ingenuity in our everyday lives,” Lead Art Teacher Sara Crater said. “We love that we get to see their masterpieces on display, and the art teachers reinforce that for them.”
For aspiring artists throughout WS/FCS, the Superintendent’s Gallery is a reminder that their creativity and passion are valuable traits for them to foster. Everyone is excited to see their work, and there’s no feeling quite like hearing a passerby mention that your piece was the one that caught their eye. The gallery’s greatest success is motivating students to believe more in their own potential and strive towards sharing more of their talents with the world.
“I used to not like my drawings at all… but I kept on going, and now I’m here,” said Koloma Davis from West Forsyth High School, one of the featured artists. “I feel like I’ve come a long way.”