Although 10th-grader Nicole Louie felt like she had a hard time communicating with people and feeling connected, she used her feelings as inspiration for her art assignment. That assignment was one of 120 pieces of artwork on display at the Inova Fairfax Women's Center Atrium.
"I think everybody's been doing artwork since they were little kids," said Nicole, explaining why she likes to make art.
In addition to Nicole's portrait of loneliness are drawings, paintings and collages of artwork by students from the W.T. Woodson High School pyramid.
Eleven schools each submitted 10 pieces of art, to be displayed at Inova Fairfax for two weeks. The art show opened with a reception last March. 18. Proud parents took pictures of their children next to their creations, while younger children looked in awe at the work created by the older students.
"It's just a chance for all the levels to come together and chat about each other's work," said Jayne Matricardi, Woodson studio art teacher. "I think it's very important for the younger kids to see the older kids’ work."
Mantua Elementary sixth-grader Madeline Horwath took about 2 1/2 hours to create her drawing, based on the artwork of Georgia O'Keeffe. She and her classmates had been studying the artist in class.
"It's been fun seeing my students' work showcased," said Madeline's art teacher, Emily Schantz-Dunn.
Nicole's friend, fellow 10th-grader Grant Cobb, wanted to express paranoia for his portrait assignment. He made two faces looking suspiciously at each other.
"As you get higher [in grade level], you can do a lot of different mediums," Grant said.