Well-known for their academic excellence, students at Early College High School take particular pride in a popular late-spring showcase called Night of the Arts.
The wide-ranging art show, with visual and literary creations representing numerous genres attracted a crowd of students, educators and families Friday to the Beck Family Heritage Hall on the Texas A&M University-Central Texas campus.
A student committee did all the logistical work to secure the space and put together the striking showcase spread across two floors of the university building.
Juliana Jensen, a senior and president of the event planning committee, smiled with pride as the annual show unfolded and guests meandered past tables containing the mix of drawings, paintings and sculptures.
Students began planning in September for the seventh annual spring show. They fundraised for decorations and other expenses and promoted the event throughout the school year.
“This is the seventh year of Night of the Arts. We do this because the school is mostly focused on academics and we don’t have band and choir (and other fine arts),” Jensen explained. “This event is a way to showcase what else we have to offer.”
“It’s a great way to express ourselves and it shows we are multi-faceted.”
While many of the pieces came from students enrolled in Early College High School art classes, show organizers were quick to point out that the whole student body from freshmen to seniors were welcome to participate and many did.
“Students work on their art year around,” said Jensen. “It’s open to everyone in our school.”
Jacob Vanealkenburg, another student committee member, pointed out the diversity of artwork in the show, from simple still life images to deeply expressive pieces fraught with symbolism.
He pointed out a model of a tank that a peer made that included a video looping on a laptop that showed the tank moving and firing.
“What I think is really important is that (this event) shows how students throughout our school are doing view takes on society and their life and how they survive it,” he said. “This gives us a way to express it and show it.”
Killeen ISD photo albums: https://www.killeenisd.org/photos