There are many aspects to appreciate about art. It can bring attention to lesser-known realities and narratives, helping to make them more visible and tangible. It can disrupt the status quo and lead us to conversations that matter. It can create empathy and convert lived experiences. WMHS Art Teacher Claire Cronin recognizes this incredible power and brings it into all of her classes.
One meaningful example occurred in her Ceramics 1 class with students making coffee mugs. Before any student sat down in front of the pottery wheel, they first learned about how and where coffee is produced and the lives of many of the people working the coffee farms. Ms. Cronin encourages students to use the mug as a daily reminder of how much they have to be grateful for.
This powerful lesson caught the attention of LoHud, which recently featured it as an Inside Our Schools article. Here in the GCSD, we are grateful for our faculty and staff every day.