Spanish students at Linden High School recently held an exhibit that used art as a way to enhance their proficiency in the language as well as their understanding of Mexican culture – and of themselves.
“The Hispanic Art Gallery” was held Nov. 21st in the school’s Media Center and hosted by LHS Spanish teachers Tania Miguelez and Rocio Horzepa.
Horzepa said the unique art exercise helps the students raise their learning to a new level. "When you create, it is the highest level of cognition you can acquire," she said at the start of the exhibit.
There were two main sections to the exhibit. The first group included seniors in the school’s rigorous International Baccalaureate program, who created paintings illuminating their inner spirit. Students contrasted their self-perception of who they are against their image as perceived by others. The assignment was paired with a writing task and an oral proficiency presentation using the painting as a subject for conversation.
The other group included IB juniors and students in Spanish III honors. They created plaster masks, painted and decorated to resemble the traditional calacas or calaveras mexicanas. Their work was based on in-depth study of the celebration of El Dia de los Muertos, or the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday. The participants also completed interpretive tasks and written presentations.
Instrumental teacher Bernard Mathews’ guitar students provided beautiful background music throughout the exhibit as visitors voted on which pieces were the best.
Among the winners were: Juan Montés Zarate, first place; Daniella Calero, second place; and Dylan Simoes, third place. Winners for the masks were: Nancy Lima de Felix, first place; Angela Lopez, second place; Booke M. Beyer, third place.
Photo captions: Top three winners in paintings and masks are labeled with names and places.
Spanish teachers Rocio Horzepa, left, and Tania Miguelez in front of students’ paintings at “The Hispanic Art Gallery” show in Linden High School’s Media Center.
Guitar students provided music during the “The Hispanic Art Gallery” show at Linden High School.
Linden High School Principal Yelena Horre, in purple, as she toured through the gallery of paintings.