One of my favorite annual aspects of the winter months is the appearance of the senior portfoilo shows. Highlighting the hard work and growth of our student-artists, these shows take place in the Bonfils-Stanton Gallery in the Stevens Art Building. Every Thursday at lunch new artists display their work, which then remains in the space for a week. The shows also include artist statements from the students; in these statements they describe their process and their inspirations. This program has been consistently popular for decades and has actually grown in recent years, thanks to the addition of a video portfolio program as well. Our fearless teachers Jesse Myers (photo), Katy Hills (studio art) and Gwylym Cano (video) all do a great job of helping the students select a portfolio of representative work from their high school years and give them some advice as to how to hang their shows. But there is great independence fostered too; the students are allowed to set up the space any way they would like, according to whatever theme they think is appropriate, and also prepare a lavish snack feast for the reception that accompanies their shows. It's always wonderful to see how many students come to the openings--and not just for the free food! There is great support and admiration for the quality of the artistry.

Two seniors, Theresa Ho and Kersten Butler, got us started last week and this week they turned the gallery over to Alex Clinkscales and Alex Walsh, who create landscapes in paint and photo, respectively.  Twenty-three other atists will display their work on consecutive Thursdays between now and April 30. The space is open to the public during school hours.