District-wide art show opens successfully despite budget cuts

Despite budget cuts and walking a financial tight rope, the SMMUSD visual art program shined at a district-wide show at the Roberts Art Gallery on January 31.financial tightrope walking, the Robert’s Art Gallery opened its doors the evening of January 31.The show featured a variety of different art mediums, from ceramics to photography, highlighting the work of high school and middle school students. Accompanied by the music of the Samohi Jazz Band, parents, students and teachers spent around two hours examining student art.Samo student Nina Path ('16) was one of the artist’s whose work was displayed. Her photo “Slide” featured her younger sister and friends tumbling down an inflatable slide during summer."It was just such a magical and happy moment, I had to capture it," Path said.Among the approximately 80 attendees were Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator Tom Whaley and Visual Arts chair Laurie Gutierrez. Gutierrez worked with students on their art and helped to organize the show.“We did this show last year and it wasn’t that hard,” Gutierrez said. “This time we just followed the same routine.”According to Gutierrez, SMMUSD is in a better situation than most other public school districts concerning arts funding.“As an art teacher I feel very blessed," Gutierrez said. "I do still feel that there needs to be more funding and support behind arts programs. The arts kind of need to be part of the core curriculum as part of a holistic education.”Despite the struggles the the art program faces, Path remains optimistic."Even though our budget is basically zero, I love the art that we do and the community we have,"  Path said.jsadler@thesamohi.com