Students choose to express themselves through art by dancing, singing and acting—all activities available through classes, clubs and teams. One club is the Artists Guild.

Artists Guild is an art club open to all students from all grade levels. Members get the opportunity to see guest artists, learn new techniques and develop community-based projects. They also have the opportunity to join the National Art Honor Society.

“In Artists Guild we try to do things that kids don’t get an opportunity to do in class and it can be more changing and more contemporary since it’s not controlled by curriculum,” Emily Benner, art teacher, said.

Benner runs the Guild and also teaches Art Fundamentals, World Art and Drawing.

She believes the Guild can help prepare students for a career in art by teaching students more independent art making and how to collaborate with other artists. Students also have the opportunity to look at professional artists and learn more about how professional artists do work by watching videos or even meeting artists on occasion.

“I joined Artists Guild freshman year because I wanted to extend my understanding of art and the art field. I plan to pursue this in college so I thought it would be a good way to get myself exposed to different types of art and different variations. [I] have met all kinds of different people over the years that have shown me many unique and different things and it’s very inspiring,” Danielle Bierne, Guild member, said.

Over the years, the Guild has painted a mural in the Production Center and other small paintings around the school. They have also made cards and ceramic pieces for charity organizations.

“Recently we were working on a motion project, but normally what we work on is just improving ourselves with sketches, so it’s just improving our drawing and trying different things,” Bierne said.

Artists Guild meets in Room 210 from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. and there are no set meeting days, so students who want to join can talk to Benner and ask her when the next meeting is.

Benner also holds an Open Studio/Art Help session after school from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. every Thursday.