Kaitlyn Sandvik
Arts, Entertainment, and Technology Editor
The creativity of student artists doesn’t end with the school year. While many spent the summer break lounging poolside, others decided to use the span of time for refining collections, single pieces or attending programs. From painters to filmmakers, students that have an urge to create have dedicated hours to improving their performance in their area of artistic interest by engaging with others within the field or embarking on new independent projects.
During the summer, painters like junior Meredith Luchs can spend more time developing ideas and executing pieces with precision, as there are less due dates and constraints for work. “The thing about art, good art, is that it has a purpose, whether to reminisce or to escape, to make a point or support a cause,” she said. “Having no time constraints means that when there is a reason to paint, I can fully immerse myself in the painting experience, it’s a wonderful thing.”
For senior Corinne Vietorisz, the freedom to explore different work during the summer is an advantage. “I get to do art for enjoyment, when I want, and what I want,” she said. “I’m also free to do whatever type of art I want, on whatever subject, because it’s for myself, not for a class or competition.”
While Corinne does not believe there are disadvantages of creating work during the summer, Meredith has the trouble of getting too caught up in her work. “It is possible to get too absorbed in the process and be blinded to the outcome,” Meredith said. She had a few recommendations for those struggling with the same issue. “Step back, take breaks, remember that you have all summer and there’s no need to rush,” she said.
As for the products of each artist’s summer, Corrine created an elaborate doodle piece while Meredith generated a collection of paintings.
Meredith said that she began her project for her own enjoyment and used painting as an escape to the beach from
New Canaan. “My pieces are a series of boat paintings ranging from dawn to dusk with varying perspectives,” she said. “I could at least indulge my love of the ocean by creating my own little image of peace.
In the realm of video art, junior Jessica Dantas worked all summer to create a documentary and while she said she enjoyed her time, she noticed the lack of mentorship when working independently. “Every day I filmed a little bit and it made me so happy,” she said. “However, I do prefer working with teachers because of the help I get with them.”
Besides student artists interested in the visual arts, junior Nick Ranieri participated in a musical theatre class which, instead of allowing more time, actually challenged his time management. “It was a different experience than at the high school as I had less time to memorize more content,” he said. “It definitely helped me prepare for theater here.”
Nick decided he wanted to take the class because it gave him more experience in his field of interest. “I want to continue theater outside of school and practicing in the summer would help prepare for next year,” he said. “It was good preparation for college auditions.”
Similarly, student musicians like senior Emily Azzarito decided to further explore their artistic expression. “I did a two week music program at the Palace Theater in Stamford called the Chamber Music Institute for Young Musicians and played Mozart, Haydn, Gershwin, and Debussy string quartets with my friends,” she said. “I also went to Germany with the Norwalk Youth Symphony and performed as the principal cellist in Munich, Leipzig, and Berlin.”
Emily believes that summer programs allow students to expand upon their own specific artistic interests. “In school, we’re kind of required to learn about a whole bunch of disparate things we might not be as passionate about,” she said. “But over the summer, you’ve got two whole months to do the things you really love, and nothing else.”
To read more about those who attended theatre programs this summer, like Nick, read this article by Jenny Levine.
