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Schools

Students Show Artistic Side Through Encounters with the Arts

Encounters with the Arts featured work and music by students on Wednesday night.

Westwood High School students put their artistic abilities on display at the annual Encounters with the Arts program on Wednesday night.

“It is very exciting to see a huge volume of work representing all the programs in school,” said Liza Houston, a Graphic Design and Studio Art teacher. “It’s great that every art class, visual arts and performing arts class is represented.”

Houston teaches Graphic Design 1 and 2 as well as Advanced Studio Art. She said she was excited about the wide range of work being displayed by her students, and explained that there was work from students in classes ranging from introductory to advanced. She said she felt that this was a great way to show the town what they can do.

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The evening showcased student work in the area of visual and performing parts, which included paintings, drawings, photography, music and drama. Throughout the evening, a schedule was set up for Westwood residents to be able to view performances by the drama classes, wind ensemble, jazz band, chorus, orchestra, concert band, violin duets and saxophone quartets.

There were also performances from bands created outside of the school, including a rock band called The Current, an a capella group called Passing Notes, and an acoustic rock group called Hayley and the Bones.

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Art studios set up at the event featured videos and slide shows displaying the students’ art. There was also a chance for families to have “fun” portraits done by Digital Photography students.

And for those attendees with a sweet tooth, or who just felt like donating $10 to the Greater Boston Food Bank and going home with a nice bowl, the Art Department and the Tri-M Music Honor Society hosted Project Empty Bowls. Students were on hand to fill bowls with ice cream with a choice of toppings.

Houston explained that Westwood High School has been putting on Encounters with the Arts for decades and that the annual event consistently brings in many residents from Westwood. She is a fan of the setup because residents can wander around throughout the evening and get a total feel of what the students have been working on throughout the school year.

Director of Performing Arts Heather Cote called this her favorite part of the year and that the work done by the students and teachers has been phenomenal.

“This is a great, informal way to show the work that these students have put together,” said Cote. “We have such a strong program here at Westwood High School.”

Ailyn Pestana, a senior who has been the manager for the Yearbook Committee for the past three years, had her work in graphic design on display, with a couple of items that she won Gold Key awards for when she submitted them to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Pestana has also won awards for a poster for the Westwood High School production of "" and a “Westwood Outdoor Series.”

“This is really exciting for me,” said Pestana, who plans to major in Graphic Design at Stonehill. “It’s been great to be able to explore a new side to graphic design.”

Nicolas Elliot, a senior in the jazz band, which performed at the beginning of the night, plays electric guitar, and after putting on a great performance, he said that he enjoyed himself.

When asked how he felt about the evening, Elliot thought for a moment, smiled and said two simple, yet powerful words: “Love life.”

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