Student artists transition to professional venue for annual juried show

Those who attended a March 21 VIP viewing of the ArtNow exhibit at New Museum Los Gatos, aka NUMU, were encouraged to vote for their favorite among the 80-plus works by student artists from across Santa Clara County.

But those who mentored some of the 810 high school students who submitted works to the 13th annual juried show said creating these submissions was just as important as winning People’s Choice or any of the other awards presented to the young artists.

“This program has been transformative in my classroom,” said Lynbrook High School art teacher Matthew Reynolds, who has seven students with artwork in the show. “It encourages my students to go big. Whether they get in the show or not, they end up having an amazing experience.”

Leland High School senior Jennie Yang wrote in her artist statement that her multimedia work “Transformation” was inspired by “significant changes in my life as I navigated through high school, both internally and externally.”

“I went to high school thinking I would seclude myself due to unpleasant experiences in middle school, but deep down, I wanted to reach out and meet new people,” Yang wrote. “I chose (to paint) a cocoon to represent these internal changes.”

NUMU Executive Director Kimberly Snyder said 250 students submitted works to the first ArtNow show in 2012. She attributed the much higher number of submissions this year in part to the work of NUMU’s teen council, whose members helped develop the show’s theme “In Transition.”

“The amount of investment and emotional energy put into this program really comes through,” said Los Gatos High School art teacher Mark Yanowsky, who has three students represented in ArtNow. “You’re using your hands, your mind and your intellect to make your presence known in the world.”

Los Altos High School art teacher Christine An said the ArtNow program provides “a tangible experience for students.”

“It validates and celebrates students as artists,” added An, who has 11 students showing their work. “They don’t care if their artworks are chosen or not; it’s about participating.”

“ArtNow: In Transition” runs through June 30 at NUMU, 106 E. Main St. Los Gatos. For gallery hours and more information, visit https://www.numulosgatos.org.