Teens put what they mean into their art
Michael Cunningham used his favorite colors for his self-portrait. Photos by Sandy Quadros Bowles 
Teagan Witzig uses her art to send powerful messages. 
Kaylah Olavarria created a book for her early childhood education class to inspire children to love art. 
Dracula had a message of love, not gore, in the design by Giada Cabral.
MacKenzie Boucher appreciated the talent on display.
Adrianna Gomes enjoyed the process of creating ceramics. 
Connor Murphy depicts life through a side mirror.
One can never have too many shoes, especially when they are this stylish.
Michael Cunningham used his favorite colors for his self-portrait. Photos by Sandy Quadros Bowles
Teagan Witzig uses her art to send powerful messages.
Kaylah Olavarria created a book for her early childhood education class to inspire children to love art.
Dracula had a message of love, not gore, in the design by Giada Cabral.
MacKenzie Boucher appreciated the talent on display.
Adrianna Gomes enjoyed the process of creating ceramics.
Connor Murphy depicts life through a side mirror.
One can never have too many shoes, especially when they are this stylish.
Dartmouth High School senior Connor Murphy was driving through Boulder, Colo. during a college tour when he became caught up in the scenery — and the symbolism.
The majestic mountains surrounded him, signaling a possible future in the Southwest. The image in the side mirror reflected the road traveled, the past he was leaving behind.
His photograph of the message reflected in the side mirror was among the images depicted in the recent annual Dartmouth High School art show.
The display of student artwork, which included clothing, ceramics, jewelry, drawings and photographs, was displayed Wednesday, May 10 and Thursday, May 11 at Dartmouth High School.
Each year, the school hosts “a celebration of our artwork’’ which students create in a range of art classes, said Christine McFee, an art teacher at the school.
The show serves as a “celebration of the work they’ve put in this year,’’ she said.
Some of the themes were quite serious.
In the digital photograph created by junior Teagan Witzig, she manipulated the image to symbolize the darkening effect that anxiety can have.
A shadow that starts off small and eventually grows to an almost enveloping size represents the toll anxiety can take on a life, she said.
The image tells “a story about finding out how bad you really feel with anxiety,’’ she said. The feeling can expand from “almost nothing to too much so quickly.’’
Ninth grader Adrianna Gomes has always liked to create and use her hands. So when she was exposed to ceramics, she decided to “take on a new hobby.’’ She became “really interested’’ and now sees the art as part of her future.
Giada Cabral dreams of running a clothing business, and possibly selling her own designs.
She showcased her talents with the “Dracula’’ sweatshirt with the fitting slogan, “Love Never Dies.’’
“I’ve always liked fashion,’’ she said. “And I knew sewing was a good skill to pick up.’’
Her creations also included a striking pair of velvet shorts — and these weren’t just for the show.
“I probably will wear them,’’ she said.
Junior Michael Cunningham enjoyed the chance to exhibit his self-portrait.
The work, which practically serves as a mirror image of the young artist, incorporates his favorite colors, blue and green, and the “positive and negative space’’ that he can inhabit, with hues ranging from light to dark.
Students who viewed the showcase gave their colleagues’ works high marks.
“I think everything’s really good,’’ junior MacKenzie Boucher said. “You can see the thought process behind it.’’
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