Ceramics teacher Mrs. Andrea Fort at Klein Cain High School has significantly expanded the ceramics program, enriching the school’s art community. Her efforts have led to remarkable growth and increased student engagement in the arts.

“We have grown our art community in this school, and it has been exponential. I would say at least from the ceramics perspective: In my first year, we only had one ceramic class, and in my second year, we had two ceramic classes. Now we’re up to four ceramic classes, so speaking from that small perspective, we’ve grown,” Mrs. Fort said.

Mrs. Fort’s approach goes beyond teaching art; she teaches life skills like responsibility and problem-solving to her students. 

“I think that perspective is something we’re always trying to work against in any of the art classes. It’s value being more than academic so seeing it more than just art it’s life skills we’re learning in your class,” Mrs. Fort said.

Many students, initially unsure of their artistic paths, find new purpose in Mrs. Fort’s classes. She addresses common misconceptions about art careers, emphasizing the broader skills gained. 

“I do think the biggest obstacle we have as people do perceive it as “well I’m not going to be an artist” or “I’m not going to make money as an artist” or “I can’t go to college for art” when we’re learning other skills in our class, we’re learning things like problem-solving and time management,” Mrs. Fort said.

In 2019, a variety of courses and extracurriculars were unable to shine during the school year. The art scene in particular didn’t get the attention it needed due to the lack of student participation. 

“We’ve been able to offer more classes we have offer AP art history now, and NAHS was hard to do during the pandemic whenever everybody had to wear a mask but it’ll be easier now, I think we’ve grown, but here’s still potential for a whole lot more,” Mrs. Fort said.

Even art student Kaylee Kang agrees that the community has grown at an exponential rate, but still thinks the impact of the art community is still not at its peak.

“I think representation-wise we have enough influence on like social media and like students reaching out to talk to teachers and other students in art but I can see it getting bigger,” Kang said. 

The art community has created so many opportunities for Kang, even at a young age the art she creates has made her who she is today. She has connected and made new friends with the people in art, presenting new people to join the art journey as well.

“Art has helped with self-expression and I have always been into art since I was young so it’s always been a way for me to express myself just as I got older I found people in the art community It was just so easy to connect with them,” Kang said.

Kang shows that art isn’t just narrowed to one thing, it can be many things, the things that you express yourself as can be a variety of different kinds of art.

“I’m a painter, I started with colored pencil but then I transitioned into painting last year and this year I’m doing something new with 3D which I’ve never done before,” Kang said.

Another artist, Nicholas Moreno, presents new experiences for other 2D artists by introducing 3D art such as ceramics.

“I like doing ceramics over other kinds of art because I like to make stuff and to like making 3D models rather than having 2D stuff because of the painting aspect because I’m colorblind,” Moreno said.

Even though Kang is an all-time award-winning artist from a young age, she has gone through many tough battles to get where she needs to be to succeed. 

“Multiple times competition comparison has always been a big issue but I guess expanding my skills it was hard for me to jump out and try something out like 3D as an artist who’s only worked with 2D,” Kang said.

The many stories behind art students show who they are and how they perceive their world by expressing themselves in the art pieces they create. Kang being an art student teaches herself that no matter what you shouldn’t cover up what makes you as a person.

“I think it’s how you show yourself to the world without having to cover anything or it’s different from talking to people or just showing up because it’s all in your head and you’re just expressing that on a canvas or any kind of surface and it’s a way for people to see you without seeing you physically,” Kang said.

Contrasting artists from different classes also see art as a way to express their feelings and to fully express themselves they need to put it in a physical artwork. Moreno uses his creativity to create unique sculptures with a sea-based theme. 

“On a personal level, art means an outlet you can express all of your emotions into because you can show what you’re interested in and what topics you like that portray what comes in your mind,” Moreno said.