Do you want to showcase your art skills? If so, consider checking out Scituate High School’s newest opportunity for artists. Taking place in the chorus room and complete with food, live music from student performers, and a black-tie dress code, art shows like the one this past Wednesday will continue once a month.

Senior Maddy Anthony came up with the idea after last year’s Spring for the Arts, an annual Scituate tradition that includes the artwork of students that take art classes in Scituate, from kindergartners to seniors. In addition, it includes student performances from all of Scituate’s band and chorus classes. Held in the high school hallways and small gym, it is a great way for parents and Scituate residents to see the creations students put so much effort into. However, they are only able to be displayed for one day. Anthony believes that a few hours isn’t sufficient “to show an entire year’s worth of work,” and feels that “things need to change.” Her realization brought with it an ambitious idea and, with some well thought out planning, the art show began to take shape.

Anthony herself is an avid art-lover whose work is well known through art classes and Facebook alike. She “wanted to leave behind something that was kind of creative… a little footprint on Scituate High School.” Her experiences as an art student have made her more than aware of the hard work needed to end up with something to be proud of.

She also made the point of bringing up the large number of students who are interested in art and even art school, but who have never had the opportunity to display their work. Sometimes “they don’t get to take art classes… that’s why I opened it up to the entire school.” Anthony’s statement refers to the fact that in order to show projects in Spring for the Arts, a student must have been enrolled in an art class. She feels that everyone deserves recognition and, for those whose talent is unknown, exposure. Anthony hopes the art show will help bring both of these things.

Although the first show was held in the chorus room, the rest will be held in space Mrs. Feeny has approved in the school library; it was not ready in time for the first show. Anthony hopes to have each one be a different theme, which means they would differ according to the artists and type of work involved. One theme possibility she brought up was Scituate Teachers’ Got Art, a spin on another other school-sponsored event, Scituate Teachers’ Got Music. This particular show would include teachers who don’t get the chance to show their work to students and staff. As Anthony says, “a bunch of teachers are super artistic, and you’d never know. It’s just like with music. There’re just random things that you don’t know about them that’s really cool to find out.” She wants the art show to connect people of all ages.

For Wednesday’s show, anyone could participate as long as they had one to three pieces. Its theme was Summer Showcase, and included projects students had created since the last Spring for the Arts. All of the shows after will consist of less people who are able to provide a larger number of art works.

Anthony made sure to express her appreciation for how helpful people have been throughout the process, specifically Principal Wargo. In addition, she will continue working closely with the art department, mainly SHS art teacher Mrs. Hendrickson, to organize these shows that she hopes will give students a chance to show their abilities and be recognized. She anticipates that by the end of October the library space will be available for use. Until then people will continue looking forward to the next exhibit.