Los Alamos Public Schools art teachers at the Feb. 26 reception of the All Schools Student Art Show at Step Up Gallery. Back row from left, Amber Paz-Csibi, Dottie Lopez, Lisa Fisher, Claire Stewart and Andrea Lynch. Front row from left, Mary Grace and Libbi Lovejoy. Not shown are Jessie Ross, Stephanie Spanier Rittner and Ame Mashburn. Courtesy/Step Up Gallery

Crowds of people attend the opening reception of the All Schools Student Art Show Feb. 26 at Step Up Gallery. Courtesy/Step Up Gallery

Step Up Gallery News:

The opening reception for the All Schools Student Art Show is a joyful celebration of creativity. Students of all ages, from Pre-K to graduating seniors, take pride in showing their artwork to parents and friends. The show is the culmination of six months of hard work by students, but also of years of experience and planning and thoughtful encouragement by their teachers. Nearly 2,000 pieces of art are on display in Step Up Gallery at Mesa Public Library through March 24.

Those school art teachers – Libbi Lovejoy, Dottie Lopez, Mary Grace, Claire Stewart, Liza Fisher, Stephanie Spanier Rittner, Andrea Lynch, Amber Paz-Csibi, Ame Mashburn, and Jessie Ross are motivated by their love of helping students grow and gain confidence.  Step Up Gallery managers asked the teachers to comment on the philosophy they bring to their work.

Los Alamos Middle School art teacher Claire Stewart said, “What brings me the most joy is witnessing students’ growth over time, watching their confidence, skills, and self-awareness deepen.”

She also spoke about the role of art in society.

“Art creates connection. It helps people find one another, share meaning, and feel seen. As a universal language, it allows us to communicate experiences that are difficult to put into words—and in doing so, it fosters a sense of belonging.”

Chamisa art teacher Andrea Lynch said she finds art as a way to help students find their places in the community, “especially when their art is displayed and celebrated with family, friends and community.”

Los Alamos High School art teach Libbi Lovejoy said she sees the value of art as “a very social subject. Constructive criticism, brainstorming, problem solving, expression, and sense of self are all affected by art.”

The teachers inspire their students by not only demonstrating techniques, but also by showing them artwork made by well-respected artists, as part of the curriculum. All of this creativity in motion has resulted in drawings, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, digital art, fused glass, and graphic design.

The All Schools Student Art Show will be on display through March 24 in Step Up Gallery.

About Step Up Gallery:

Step Up Gallery (https://stepupgallery.org) is on the upper level of Mesa Public Library, 2400 Central Ave., Los Alamos. The gallery is open during regular library hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and 1-5 p.m., Sunday. 

A proud student, her father and teacher Andrea Lynch show off pieces in the annual All Schools Student Art Show at Step Up Gallery at the opening reception. Courtesy/Step Up Gallery