Uncommon Space

-David Delgado

The Commons has always been a place where students come together in their daily school life.  Every passing period, hundreds of students enter and exit the Commons because it is the central gateway to which most classes and offices are connected.  On Dec. 12 a new space containing an ambiance of fresh and creative artistic environment opened in the Commons—the new art gallery.
           
“I think it is cool to see everyone’s creative talent, and how they express their creativity through art,” freshman Sarah Perez said.
 
The gallery idea started when ceramics teacher Dawn Delgado asked former principal Dr. Alan Veach if she could use a vacant room to create a gallery.  The fourth time she asked, he finally agreed, so she and art department chair Dale Baker made it happen.  Prior to this year, the gallery moved each year for four years when a vacant room became available.   The new room for the art gallery was successfully constructed this year thanks to the art department, Jeanette Scott, the coordinator of the construction, and principal Linda Rawlings. 
 
“What a team effort,” Rawlings said.  “This is what happens when you get a lot of people working together.  You end up with something wonderful like this.”
           
The gallery is named Uncommon Space because of its location in the Commons.
           
“It is the most professional student art gallery I have ever seen,” sculpture teacher Roselle Casey said.  “The hard work and excellent planning are evident in every corner of the space.  My favorite part of the gallery is its location off the Commons so that students have an easy access to it.”
           
Inside Uncommon Space is an abundance of student art work, from 3D sculpture and pottery to photos to multimedia and 2D art.  The gallery changes shows approximately every month, with March scheduled to showcase the work of seniors in all mediums.
           
“It’s a good way for people to see the talent that the students have at this school,” senior Kat Todd said.
           
No other high school in this region has a gallery like Westlake’s. 
 
“It’s a great idea.  We have a lot of talented students so it is good to show off their work,” librarian Carolyn Foote said.  “We are lucky to have such great art teachers.”
           
This new sanctuary of the visual arts is an example of the magnitude of Westlake High School’s art department.  The school has transformed a fraction of the Commons into a something new and artistic.