While either looking for a place to improve their artistic abilities or show off their creative skills, students have found a place where they have the ability to do both. Art Club members said that this club has become a place that not only lets students express their creativity and ideas, but also allows them to connect with their community and feel valued within theschool.

Art Club holds its meetings every other Tuesday in Room 1117 and consists of 12 to 15 students  attending each meeting, Alex Remeniuk, Visual Arts Teacher and Art Club Sponsor, said. The club has held its place as a thriving club after its reestablishment 10 years ago and it continues to give people a chance to take charge of their own learning and create artwork no matter how much experience they may have, Remeniuk said. Club leaders organize and plan different fun lessons that provide students with exciting chances to participate within this relaxed environment, Remeniuk said.

“It allows students to talk to each other, be vulnerable with each other, and show each other how to do things,” Remeniuk said. “So they become the teachers in their own kind of aspect.”

In this club, students are able to come up with their own ideas and then collaborate to turn these ideas into artwork, Remeniuk said. Remeniuk added that meetings typically consist of small planned projects where club leaders give quick demonstrations and leave the rest of the time for the other students to work. Vice President of Art Club, sophmore Haneen Abdi, plans club meetings and provides members with the supplies and other things they need to enjoy themselves in this club.

“We talk to everyone, try to have fun and everything,” Abdi said. “We try to demo a new technique, try learning about a different art style, or try to plan our new fundraisers.”

Abdi starts meetings by providing the supplies for everyone. She decided to join Art Club in order to find a community that holds a similar level of creativity as her, Abdi said. It’s a place where everyone can get to know each other while also improving their artistic abilities, Abdi added.

Sophomore Michelle Ulambayar joined this club this year for the first time and believes that it has really given people the confidence to show off their artistic skills and tap into their creative side.

“Me and my friend would do competitions of who would draw better, and that was always fun,” Ulambayar said. “I think this club helped me in that sort of way.”

Ulambayar said that Art Club gives students freedom to choose their art projects and the resources to complete them all in a welcoming environment. Abdi added that all students, regardless of art experience, constantly support each other within this club and make sure to keep it a safe and positive space. Aside from the community aspect, Art Club also allows chances to explore new artistic styles and put creative ideas into nice pieces of art, Abdi said.

“I just think art is a very great way to let out creativity and just express yourself,” Abdi said. “Whether it’s just sketching for fun or actually doing something a big project.”