A Letter From the Director
Art saved me in high school. Literally, I am not being dramatic. I took every art class offered. I stayed after school to make art and took projects home over the weekend. In the library I was the kid who sat in the stacks and poured over art monographs while everyone else was sneaking candy and writing notes.
I was once asked to speak on a panel at the National Steinbeck Center. The topic was “Can a work of art change your life?” My answer was a resounding “Yes!” Art continues to change and shape my life.
One’s high school years are filled with transition and change: developmentally, physically and emotionally. It is a rich and exciting time for these challenging reasons. Art can articulate conflicting and complicated emotional landscapes at a visual level. Creating art can open up pathways to problem solving and conflict resolution. It can also simply be a vehicle of expression, a way to exorcise demons.
This years’ exhibition theme, Bridges: Facing Challenges offered students an opportunity to explore their own personal challenges, changes, transitions and conflicts and to express their feelings, offer up some solutions and even rant a little about their frustrations. The work juried into the exhibit is exceptional. A variety of themes surface but as I consider the work and read the artist statements I am struck by this: these kids are up for the challenges that face them. They are smart, strong and determined to not just overcome, but to soar.
Thank you to the many people who made this exhibition possible, notably our High School Exhibition Committee led by Mary Ellen Kaschub. Her hard work and the dedication of this team is what drives this exhibition. And to the kids, their families, teachers and mentors who place a high value on STEAM over STEM in California curriculum. Lastly, a special thank you to our partners at the Santa Clara County Office of Education, especially Esther Tokihiro.
Over 750 pieces were submitted to Bridges but just 68 were juried into the show. Thank you to ALL the students who took the time to think, create and submit: this tough competitive environment raises the standard of excellence each year.
Lisa Coscino
Executive Director
NUMU Los Gatos
April 2015
About ArtNow
ArtNow is an annual juried Santa Clara County high school art exhibition and educational program, presented by New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU). The ArtNow Exhibition and supporting programs offer opportunities for high school student artists, from Palo Alto to Gilroy, to gain real-world experience in participating in a juried museum exhibition. Each year, a new theme is chosen for the exhibition and students are asked to submit works based on that theme. Scholarships and awards are given to participating students. Students have the opportunity to win awards in 8 artistic categories as well as an overall Best in Show prize and a People’s Choice award. The categories are Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media, Printmaking, Sculpture, Photography, Digital Art & Video/Animation.
This exhibition is in the Main Gallery.
