Window into their world

Art is an expression of oneself, and the Artitudes Gallery is flaunting the talents of Havre High School students this month so the community can see some of artwork of Havre's blossoming young artists. For some, Tuesday evening's reception was the first time the high school students had seen their work on display in a gallery. Junior Melissa Clayborn was one of those students. Clayborn, who is a Student Council representative for the Art Club, eagerly pointed out her acrylic painting of a grizzly bear. For students like Clayborn and junior Rhiannon Hensley, the opportunity to show the community their artwork and to have their work displayed with some of the town's more well-known artists is an honor. "It makes me happy because they like what I drew," Clayborn said. "I'm proud to show off my artwork instead of having it in my sketchbook," said Hensley, who is hoping to one day become a tattoo artist. This is the second t ime Artitudes has invited HHS students to be the featured artists. Art Club President and HHS senior K'Dee Laeupple said this was the second time her artwork has been showcased in the gallery. "We look forward to i t , " Laeupple said. "We'd like to do it more often." "I like how people come to enjoy the artwork," senior Andrea Moore said at the Tuesday evening reception. Sophomore Kaity McKnight not only takes art classes in school, she paints at home and fascinated with photography and music. McKnight's acrylic painting of a 5-year-old girl in tribal make-up hangs on the entrance wall and mesmerizes guests with a deep stare as they pass by. She used primary colors — red, yellow and blue — in her painting. "It is just the capture of life," she said about photography. Art students and club members are not the only works on display at the gallery. Art teachers Stacey Fr e i e r, wh o i s a l s o Ar t Club adviser, and Char Sticka said all HHS students were invited to show their work in the gallery. Junior Carson Pollington, who is currently not taking an art class, explained his life-long love of National Geographic while standing next to his acrylic painting of the magazine's famous June 1985 cover. Pollington's painting of the refugee woman with the haunting eyes portrays different red color variations. "I've been wanting to get my artwork out there," he said. From pencil sketches to sculptures, HHS art of all mediums are displayed in the gallery for the rest of the month. Local watercolor artist and Artitudes member Ginnie Streeper said the students' artwork is being featured to show them support them as young artists and to encourage them to keep art in their lives. "These are super-talented youngsters, and they have superdedicated teachers," Streeper said. "Without the teachers' input, there wouldn't be an outlet." Freier and Sticka credit Streeper for organizing the event and Artitudes for supporting the students. "We are so grateful to this group that they offer this opportunity for the art students," Sticka said. Students were also grateful for the opportunity to showcase their artwork in the gallery for people outside of the high school's hallways to see the window into their world. "Thanks for the opportunity to show our artwork and to be seen," Laeupple said. "This is awesome," junior Monique Wilson added. HHS artwork will be on display at the Artitudes Gallery, located on the second floor of the Atrium Mall, for the remainder of the month. People can see the artwork from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.