While most WIS students were spending their first day of winter break kicking back and relaxing, these two art students were presenting their final products of two months worth of work. Junior and senior students, Chloe Gutnikoff and Proskovia "Pasha" Wilson both attended the Hirshhorn Museum's selective art program and from 1:00pm-3:00pm Saturday, December 15th, many from the WIS community came to admire their work within the showcase.
Photo taken by Peter G Stuppard (@speedypete94)
Out of the 80 students who applied to the program, only 20 were admitted. Those who applied would be interviewed and would have to produce a self-portrait in less than an hour at the Hirshhorn Auditorium with other applicants for the program to judge. Both Pasha and Chloe were aware of the magnitude of the program. They went into the projects a little nervous but also excited.
"The interviews were stressful and before the program started I was really nervous. The first day I was able to meet the other teenagers, I'd never been surrounded by that many art kids before and it was almost overwhelming and exciting." - Chloe Gutnikoff
"Going into the project I felt kind of scared of what my end product was going to be like. I was also really looking forward to learning and working with new medium" - Pasha Wilson
This year, the program centred around technology in the modern age and called their showcase "Generation Eye".
Photo taken by Peter G Stuppard (@speedypete94)
Chloe and Pasha's artworks were in vastly different mediums. Pasha incorporated dance and videography into her piece while Chloe created digital drawings using Adobe illustrator. Both of them used technology to create their pieces centred around the IGen theme of Artlab.
Photo taken by Peter G Stuppard (@speedypete94)
Video Created by Pasha Wilson
The program not only allowed students to use new sophisticated medium to create the artwork they would later showcase within the Hirshhorn but also provided them with inspiration and opportunities in the artistic world.
The students met guest speakers such as Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, whose exhibit "Pulse" currently resides in the Hirshhorn, as well as speakers from the "Me Too" movement and artists from the D.C organization "GIRLAAA: A Party Powered by Women, for Women." In addition, the students visited the Corcoran School of Art and Design within George Washington University.
Video Published by RCSC Domo
"I want to study something in the area of design but I was a little bit scared because I didn't really know what opportunities there would be after college. After talking to our counsellors at Artlab I became more confident. What I want to do exists and it can be done." - Pasha Wilson
Through Artlab, both WIS students were able to meet like-minded artistic teenagers, some of whom they formed strong bonds with lasting beyond the program.
"I felt like I made so many new friends including the supervisors, all of which I bonded with. We've meet a couple times since the program ended and still keep a group-chat" -Pasha Wilson
"They were just all like me, it was nice to have 20 people with the same passion and almost the same future." - Chloe Gutnikoff
During the showcase many within the WIS community, students, parents and teachers alike came to support Chloe and Pasha.
"I was surprised by how many people came to see my artwork, my friends came, my mom's friends and colleague's also came, the parents of the kid I babysat came and they brought me a present, it was really sweet and everyone was impressed." - Chloe Gutnikoff
"I was really surprised by the amount of teachers that came to the exhibit; them coming and seeing my piece really warmed my heart." - Pasha Wilson
After listening to their process and experiencing their artwork first hand, many in the WIS community were impressed with the quality and quantity of work the students put into their final products.
"I casually told my parents I was going to see my friend's exhibit at the Hirshhorn and they were really impressed, it was a huge deal and Chloe did so well" - Stephanie Hood
"I was so proud to see that people who I go to school with were part of the exhibit. People tend to think that the IB doesn't allow people to pursue art in their free time but Chloe and Pasha can, meaning anyone can." - Sofia Sanchez