Art – a Husky pastime
Artistic energy is definitely flowing at Sutter Union High School. With classes in full swing, students — myself included — are ecstatic to be back in one of our favorite classes: art.
At SUHS, art is undoubtedly the most popular elective amongst its students, and for good reason, too. Any Husky will tell you how much they enjoy their art or ceramics classes.
Whether it is painting with beautiful watercolors or throwing a vase on the potter's wheel, Sutter students share a love for the expressive yet greatly intuitive subject of fine arts.
For years, the art department at SUHS has been recognized for the wondrous masterpieces produced by its students. Projects made by our past and present Huskies have garnered the attention from our whole school as well as the community. Many have even won first place prizes at the Yuba-Sutter Fair.
Art at Sutter is not just for a select few people, either. Kids involved in athletics, theater, rodeo and campus clubs have all found solace and joy in fine arts. Not only is the subject pleasant, but it creates a sense of pride in the student for their work.
"I love the feeling I get after I put a final coat of glaze on a project," said Katelyn Taylor, a junior at SUHS and ceramics student. "I know my hard work has paid off."
Needless to say, Sutter students are talented in many more areas than one.
Like any thriving educational program, the reasons behind the success of the art program lie not only with its students but teaching staff as well. In the SUHS Art Department, our attainment could not be accomplished without our favorite ceramics/art teacher, Drew Sallee.
Under the exceptional tutelage of this artistic virtuoso, students learn the basics of drawing, painting, sculpting and throwing on the wheel in a fun and expressive environment.
A longtime teacher at Sutter, Sallee makes the learning process of art enjoyable and easy to understand for every student while making us laugh uncontrollably in the process.
"My favorite part about teaching is seeing the rise in self-esteem a student feels when they realize they can create an artistic masterpiece," Sallee said. "That in itself is why I love my job."
Art and ceramics are so sought-after at SUHS that every year, each art class is maxed out with students. This popular demand creates a sense of gratuity for those students who are given the opportunity to take the class. The ability to express yourself by drawing with pastels or by creating a coil pot is something everyone can appreciate.
"I was skeptical about ceramics at first, just because I had never been into art before," said Josh Hansel, SUHS senior and ceramics student. "But after seeing the amazing things that could be done with the clay, all I wanted to do was make mugs and bowls! Ceramics easily became my favorite class."
Bianca Almeida is a senior at Sutter Union High School. Her column appears every six weeks in Education.
