Perpich Arts High School Studio Arts Department Presents: “Reflections” Exhibition

September 12, 2025

Perpich Studio Arts students opened their first exhibition of the 2025-2026 school year on Thursday, September 11th, 2025. The exhibition is showing in the Perpich galleries through October 17, 2025.

Titled “Reflections”, the show features artwork created over the summer by Perpich Visual Arts and Media Arts students in response to various prompts covering themes of inner and outer self portraiture, how the student feels about their future, journaling, and memory. In addition to work on the gallery walls, there was also a media screening in the Performance Hall. The Dance department participated with site-specific performances. Studio Arts students created the artwork, wrote artist statements, and prepared all aspects of presenting the physical exhibition.

Kathryn D’Elia, Visual Arts Instructor and Studio Arts Chair, said, “Our first exhibition, showcasing summer projects sets the tone for the year. It gives our students and families an idea of what it means to show work at Perpich, and it becomes the base that we compare to as our shows get better and better. I am proud of the work the students created and am thrilled with the amount of family support shown in attendance last night. I love opportunities for different arts areas to exhibit work together. The student-choreographed dance performance exploring identity was a beautiful addition to our studio art gallery opening, exploring how themes can transcend mediums.”

“This show is one of the strongest first art exhibitions I’ve seen here at Perpich,” said Lindsey Schmitt, Visual Arts Instructor. “I notice experimentation with supplies, dedication of time and effort, and authentic creativity. They are starting the year off strong and I can’t wait to see the artistic growth that happens!”

“I felt like there was so much energy that radiated from the ‘Reflections’ gallery,” said Ajay Nicholas (Visual Arts 2026). “There was diversity in the meaning and style of all the pieces, including the wonderful dance performances. It reminded me of how excited I am to be back in this community after coming here last year. It also reminded me of how nervous I was to display my summer project gallery last year because I didn’t feel like my art compared to my peers. However, it became a normal ritual over time to share my work and find confidence within my creative abilities, and my peers became one of my biggest inspirations for creating art. I hope anyone who is anxious about their first year at Perpich can find discoveries through their art and continue to build the unique culture and community that has formed here.”

Mary Harding, Dance Instructor, explained the process that the Dance students used. “The Dance students created dance solos based on self portrait, identity, and memory to present at the gallery opening. They started with the children’s book ‘Where We Come From’ by Diane Wilson, Sun Yung Shin, Shannon Gibney, and John Coy. They then began to create movement phrases based on the meaning of their name, identity, legacy, and images from the book. A specific image was an illustration of figures carrying suitcases with the topography of their destination imprinted on the suitcases. This image inspired the use of suitcases as a prop and metaphor. After this gathering of ideas, they began to create a seed of a movement. Students continued the choreographic process, revising and refining, sharing music possibilities, and reflecting on their inspiration choices. They started the rehearsal process by collaboratively deciding spacing, transitions, and music choices. The dancers successfully performed their work at the opening and will continue to work on this project. Look forward to our full concert in December!”

Studio Arts students and instructors gather on the Perpich campus prior to their exhibition opening on September 11, 2025

Rebecca Bullen, Perpich Arts High School Principal, reflected on the experience in the school newsletter. “It was a night full of inspiration, creativity, and heart. The energy in the gallery and Performance Hall was moving, as families, friends, students from all arts disciplines, and staff came together to make these spaces even more energetic. I heard so much gratitude: parents reflecting on their children’s growth as artists and joy in finding their place, and students showing pride and nervousness in their first opportunity at Perpich (and for some, first time ever) to share their creative voices with the world. It was a reminder of how powerful the act of creating can be. As I left for the day, I felt immense pride in our community,” said Rebecca.

In the exhibition statement, the students said, “So far, we have enjoyed seeing and learning about the artists that surround us during the first few weeks of school. As a collective of artists, we notice that each individual at Perpich has their own style that is ONE OF A KIND. Inspiration is in the air and we have noticed artists connecting and appreciating one another in our art classes. We hope you enjoy the show and come back for more!”

Congratulations to all the students, and their instructors, on a wonderful exhibition!