Milford High School’s art community received a win at the beginning of this year as its Art Club was resurrected from its brutal COVID demise. The old club was a major success as “they were part of the National Art Honors Society,” explained Art Teacher Cecilia. Gollan, patron of the 2024 Art Club. “When I got here ten years ago we usually had about 20-30 people.” The old club focused on creating a community where art techniques and love could be shared among its members, an ideal new club members hope to uphold.
Artists are a dying breed, a calamity that resulted in the end of the last art club during COVID. “[The art club] kind of faded away,” said Gollan, “the students that were really interested in it had graduated, and no one else participated.” This time around, senior Piper Girardi, President of the 2024 Art Club, intends to create a base for future students, allowing the club to live on for years to come. “I hope that the art club will flourish and end up gaining many more members,” said Girardi. She shouldn’t worry though, as the club has already gained more members than predicted despite only being weeks old.
Since the first meeting, the club has gained 10 members with the possibility of more joining every week. “Everyone’s allowed to join,” said Girardi, no matter the grade, experience, or background. Thus far the reasons for joining have differed greatly among members. “Art is my escape,” said sophomore Rhiannon Williams. Others, such as freshman Temperance Fortin joined to spend time with their friends. Despite the varying reasons for joining the club, most members held the same hope while going into it: they wanted a place where they belonged no matter their history.
“I want it to be a group that you can come and have an opportunity to learn something new about art,” said Mrs. Gollan, “to just have a place where people who love art can talk to each other and just meet and share experiences.”
One of the club’s biggest strengths lies in its communication as President Girardi is keen on listening and taking everyone’s opinion into consideration. “The focus of the club is more about the people,” said Girardi, “to each individual what the club will be is up to them.” Already this ever present communication has proved to be appreciated, “I like that they’re looking for a bunch of input,” said Schaedig. “They’re always asking and they’re all very friendly.” After some discussion, The first project has officially been chosen, and is now a work in progress. This project should hopefully be revealed just in time for Halloween (which may be hinting towards its theme), if not sooner.
The main question plaguing the club’s spirit right now is whether the excitement generated in these first couple weeks will be enough to prevent the club from fading away again. Thankfully the answer lies within the already present members as many would be willing to step up into leadership positions to keep the Art Club thriving for years to come. “I’m interested in still going with it next year, not sure if I want the leadership role yet, but I might,” said junior Will Seyler. “If I have to, I will.”
The Art Club is centered around being a safe space for anyone whether they’ve been in art for years or this will be their first time picking up a colored pencil since sixth grade. At the end of the day though, the club is dependent on its members and it’s truly up to their imaginations on what the club will be able to produce both this year and hopefully for years to come. The club meets during seminar every week in room 900, no prior art knowledge is required. “If they just want to come and hang out, they can do that,” said Girardi. “If they want to shoot for the stars, we can shoot for the stars.”