What may seem like a simple hobby is something much deeper for students. For many, art is not just something they do in their free time, but a way they understand the world, express emotions, and connect with others.

“I feel like there is no earth without art. It’s just … eh the earth is slightly meaningless because art is so much,” Daisy Haney said, “Even how we picture the world … we don’t get that without art.”

While every student approaches art differently, each finds their own meaning and purpose through it.

Savannah Potter said, “I think it’s a very good stress reliever, and it’s important for people to just make art, even if it’s not good. It’s best to make art that’s not good because it’s just the practice of making art, using your hands, and creating something.”

Lyla Mack said, “There’s a universal language, whether it be painting or even like math numbers. To me, the universal language is music. It doesn’t require words. All it requires is emotion.”

Josiah Carlson said, “Art to me is photography … it’s just capturing a moment in time.”

Beyond personal expression, art also plays a major role in building community and forming connections between people.

Haney said, “I’ve been Irish dancing since I was six … and the community that we have is super important, and it drives a lot of the friendships.”

For many students, art doesn’t just reflect the world around them. It changes how they see it entirely.

Potter said, “Art is appreciating the world, appreciating the people around you, honoring God … just expressing creativity in any way that you can.”

Carlson said, “I feel like it’s easy to see things in a better perspective … because I can look around and see all the beauty in things.”

In the end, students say art creates a space where people can be themselves without fear of being judged or being wrong.

“I think of it more like you do it freely. You do it how you want,” Mack said, “There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to art.”

Potter said, “Using art, appreciating art, I think is something that I need to learn to do more because it helps you to learn to love the people around you, learning to appreciate each other and what we create, what we do, what we think. Maybe not agreeing, but just kind of acknowledging that there’s something beautiful in everyone. I think that’s really important,”