BY TORI HOCHENDONER
Internet Editor

For his first big project running the Advanced Studio Art class this year, art teacher James Wodarek wanted to commemorate a significant event and see how his students worked on deadlines.
The result was the exhibit “Ground Zero: Reflections on 9/11,” which was displayed in the atrium.
“I wanted the kids to experience producing a body of work with a theme, while having them work quickly and under pressure,” Wodarek said. “The students worked on their projects a lot at home. When I was putting them on display, some of them were still drying.”
Senior Katie Winter said she did not feel like she was under too much pressure and that it was an honor to participate.
“Mr. Wodarek is doing a really good job expanding the curriculum and giving the students real-life examples to create art, like the 9/11 showcase,” Winter said.
Wodarek plans on bringing in a gallery director and artists to teach students about being in the industry and how to be successful as an artist.
“This year I am focusing on the kids finding their own style while doing very current and contemporary work,” Wodarek said, “I want them to produce work that has meaning.”
Wodarek plans on doing more art showcases in the future.
“There are definitely more showcases coming. I want my students to get used to being pushed and producing a series of work around a central theme,” Wodarek said.