As the afternoon sun streams through the basement windows, around 340 Bronx Science students grab their art notebooks and pencil cases from their lockers and head to art class. Bronx Science offers a range of art electives, including painting, photography, visual arts, and graphic design, giving students the chance to learn expert techniques in a variety of areas. Some include shading, color theory, and photographic illusions. The colorful sunlit art classrooms are filled with hundreds of supplies, and various paintings, posterns, and notes lining the walls. In this room, students find time for serenity and calmness. Sometimes that means sketching and painting independently in a room only filled with the muffled buzz of the courtyard; other times it’s collaborating on large multimedia collages in small groups, using magazines and paint. These classes provide an incredible opportunity for artistic expression, along with a wealth of resources, including a variety of paints, illustration tools, and technologies, all available to students throughout their year-long art courses.
Brushing Up on Creativity: Inside Bronx Science’s Vibrant Art Studios
A glimpse into Bronx Science’s dynamic art classes, including painting, visual arts, and photography.
About the Contributors
Hana Cleemann, Staff Reporter
Hana Cleemann is a Content and Proofreading Editor for ‘The Science Survey.’ She loves storytelling that meticulously brings issues to life; and the challenge of doing so as many events have become desensitized. She enjoys the deep connections she makes with people across the globe that she has to interview for articles, and capturing their emotions and unique perspectives in words. Since she was young, she has enjoyed writing and formatting articles by hand on her favorite T.V. characters – like a profile on supergirl or her latest drama– and finds the same excitement in now being able to write about the people and events of the world. She also enjoys photography: being in a moment, knowing what is going on and how people feel, and trying to capture it in a single shot with the perfect adjustments. Outside of school she can be found walking her dog with her dad, cooking pasta, and reading in her room. She researches year round, specializing in social/ behavioral sciences, coding, and neuroscience. She additionally participates in public forums like Model United Nations, works under a senator, organizes social activism events such as climate strikes and newspaper issues, and she advocates for educational equality in her neighborhood. After high school, Hana wants to study mathematics and work as a television news reporter.
Samie Lee, Staff Reporter
Samie Lee is a Copy Chief and Graphic Designer for ‘The Observatory’ yearbook. She is also a Staff Reporter for 'The Science Survey.' Samie believes that the most appealing aspect of journalistic writing is in its ability to connect people worldwide and spread information and stories to those whom it reaches. These elements are also heavily present in journalistic photography, where a heavier focus on emotion and visual representations can also convey the same meanings. Outside of school, Samie likes to fence as well as play video games. She is still unsure about what she would like to do in the future, but she would prefer to pursue something in the humanities filed, where she believes her ability shines brightest whether it is through writing or the arts.
Albiona Leka, Staff Reporter
Albiona Leka is a Graphic Designer and a People Section Editor for ‘The Observatory’ yearbook. She is also a Staff Reporter for 'The Science Survey.' She finds journalistic writing to be enjoyable because she recognizes that it can be used to inform the public about various topics in an enjoyable, yet informative way. Photography is another source of entertainment that Albiona indulges in, because it gives her a chance to tell a story without using any words. Outside of school, she loves to draw, listen to music, and play card games with her family and friends. It was always in her nature to help and educate others, so naturally, Albiona has become interested in the medical field and plans to pursue her dreams when she goes to college.
Bridget Galwey, Staff Reporter
Bridget Galwey is an Athletics Editor and Graphic Designer for ‘The Observatory’ yearbook. She is also a Staff Reporter for 'The Science Survey.' She has always loved reading and telling stories. She believes that journalism is a great way to inform people of ideas in a creative and compelling way. She has a passion for photography that tells a story. Bridget has a deep appreciation for the impact that photography has on the world of journalism. She loves the challenge of looking for a photo that will make a statement. Bridget loves to read dystopian fiction, to take walks in Central Park, and she also enjoys going to museums with her friends. Bridget would love to pursue graphic design in the future. She wants to go into the field of marketing and improve her photography skills.
Sofia Fernandez, Staff Reporter
Sofia Fernandez is a Managing Editor and Graphic Designer for ‘The Observatory’ yearbook. She is also a Staff Reporter for 'The Science Survey.' Sofia believes that journalistic writing allows us to take on new perspectives. She also finds journalistic writing to be interesting and informative because it educates the reader about what the journalist is trying to convey in their writing. Photography really speaks to her heart. She isn’t afraid to take new photos of things that she finds interesting and that’s what she loves about it. Photography allows us the opportunity to capture a moment and cherish it as time goes on. Whether it’s photography or journalism, both allow us to demonstrate our creativity. Outside of school, Sofia pursues a variety of hobbies. These include listening to music, playing sports such as soccer and badminton, drawing, taking photographs, reading, and watching shows/movies. One of her favorite movies is Coraline because it has a lot of interesting fan theories behind it and its level of suspense makes it appealing. Another movie she enjoyed watching was La La Land, because it is based in Los Angeles, California and that is where she wants to be to pursue her future career. In college, she plans on studying either film or criminology. A future career that interests her after college is being a film director. It is her dream career because she has always wanted to be in the film industry and feel the liveliness of being on a set.