Ten High Tech High North County freshmen were selected for the upcoming San Diego County Fair Student Showcase. The Student Showcase is the competitive exhibit where teachers in middle schools, high schools and community colleges enter their students’ work.
Their teacher, Marissa Fernandez, has been drawn to art since she was a child. But it was not until tragedy struck that she became an artist. “While that interest has always been there, art didn’t become such a significant part of my life until my mother passed away,” Ms. Fernandez said. “A grief counselor suggested using art as a way to express myself and process my grief. I quickly fell in love with it, specifically the way I was able to communicate my emotions through art when I struggled to express myself with words.”
Ms. Fernandez was 10 when her mother died of breast cancer. “She was an amazing person and I’m so grateful for the time I had with her,” Ms. Fernandez said. “I always think of the positive growth that came from my loss and how I wouldn’t be who I am now without it happening. I am able to carry her legacy with me into my life’s work.”
Ms. Fernandez’ students have been working on multiple projects throughout the year. For the Fair submissions, students selected their best piece to represent the learning and projects that were created during the course. The projects reflected the students’ understanding of design, value, and color mixing. For their “Hyper-Realism Animal” project, students used their previously acquired skills of line, value, and shape. They also undertook self portraits to learn how to accurately draw facial features and detail, Ms. Fernandez said.
“Each student came in with a different level of understanding of art,” she noted. “Some had experience with a traditional art class while others were learning how to draw for the first time. Each student challenged themselves with the subject matter they chose. It was beautiful to see them improve with each assignment.”
In the second semester, students learned about color theory and painting. “We had a project centered around impressionist landscape paintings and the art history of the impressionist art movement,” Ms. Fernandez said. “Students analyzed and discussed the similarities and differences between impressionism and post-impressionism.”
Such rich dialogue and quality of student work is intentional. It is a reflection of design principles that include Authentic Work. HTH school projects integrate hands and minds and incorporate inquiry across multiple disciplines, often infusing art, leading to the creation of meaningful and beautiful work. Says noted educator Ron Berger: “When you’re proud of your work, when it’s beautiful, you’re motivated to work harder. Kids practice their gymnastics, practice their flute, practice their soccer skills because they want to be great. Not to be proficient.”
Indeed, Ms. Fernandez noted how rewarding it is to see her students grow as artists right before her eyes. To borrow a phrase from Mr. Berger, students are doing “beautiful work and recognizing beautiful work in each other.”
Ms. Fernandez is in her first year at High Tech High North County. “I became a teacher as a way to give back to the art community and to say thank you for the voice that art has given to me,” Ms. Fernandez said. “Art has greatly improved my life and I want to share that with all of my students. Specifically, I want to give students the same opportunity I’ve had to express themselves in a safe environment.
“It is truly rewarding seeing students grow as an artist and as a member of our community. There is nothing I love more than experiencing the academic and personal growth of students.”
The HTHNC students selected to display their work at the Fair are:
View slideshow of the students’ artwork below! The 2022 San Diego County Fair runs June 8 – July 4 (closed Mondays and Tuesday in June). If you happen to go to the Fair this summer, stop by the exhibit area to support these amazing young artists!
Tags: