By Traci Newell
 Alexis Sullivan, right, and a family member observe Los Altos High School student artwork on display at Main Street Cafe & Books. The paintings, drawings, 3-D art and photographs will be on display through March. traci Newell/ |
Los Altos High School students showcased their work in a public setting March 15, as family, neighbors and fellow students attended a reception honoring the students and the program at the high school.
The second annual art show displays pieces of student art from drawing, photography, painting, art appreciation, 3-D design and digital photography classes. The exhibition embellishes the walls of Main Street Cafe & Books downtown.
“It’s important for students to showcase their work,” said Los Altos High School Art Director Christine An. “It really gives them a sense of community.”
Sophomore Matthew Lee, Drawing I, selected a photo from a magazine and made a line drawing of it to scale.
“I’m pretty proud of my ability to draw,” Lee said. “I’ve never taken an art class before.”
Parents, peers and community members examined the art on the walls and discussed the different techniques that created each piece.
“I’m very proud of all the students,” said parent Wendy Dematteis. “I’m just really glad to see all the talent that’s coming out of Los Altos High.”
Alumna Yana Mlymash attended the event. Mlymash, a former photography student at Los Altos High School, will graduate from San Francisco State University with an interior design major this year.
“The classes equipped me with creativity, which helped me with interior design,” Mlymash said. “Before the classes at Los Altos High School, I wasn’t very interested in photography or art.”
Barbara Jones, parent of a photography student, said she was happy her son was involved in something that didn’t include just being on the computer.
“I think the program has really broadened him,” she said. “Anything that takes him out of the house to think is a good thing. The educational hobby really broadens his perspective. I really like that Los Altos High has different classes for all the students.”
Jones said her son might not go into art in the future, but she is glad he is gaining a hobby and an interest in photography through the class.
Alexis Soli, an art appreciation junior, toured the exhibition with her family in tow. Soli said art appreciation covers various media. Her displayed piece was a magazine photograph, ripped into pieces and recreated into a drawing.
“I’ve never done something like this before,” Soli said. “I think it’s really great that all the art classes get to display their work together.”
The artwork is on display at Main Street Cafe & Books, 134 Main St., Los Altos, through March.
