The annual Vertical Art Show opened Nov. 6 at the FISD Administration Building, showcasing artwork from students across the district.

“We have a lot of talented students,” art teacher Suzanne Blair said. “The show shows how the visual arts are really important to our community and [serve] as an outlet for our students.”

There isn’t a specific theme for the show, so art teachers chose work from everything their students have created so far. 

“Since this is the first show this year, it depends on what art we have available,” Blair said. “We look for students that have some really stellar, excellent pieces to show the community and district what they’ve been doing.”

Sophomore Karina Zavyalova’s work is being featured in the show. Her pieces address the theme of environmental effect on people’s behaviors. 

“It kind of illustrates the monotony of life,” Zavyalova said.” It’s not necessarily a bad thing. I just wanted people to look at the piece and be able to interpret it in their own way.”

When creating their pieces, students receive peer reviews and feedback from their teachers.

“Just seeing other people’s work motivated me to continue, despite any challenges that I had with the piece,” Zavyalova said. “I saw how people around me were very productive and the setting kind of influenced me.”

Art teachers help students’ techniques and creative expression in preparation for upcoming shows. 

“We’re always trying to work on a specific element or principle so they can build up their skills,” Blair said. “My favorite part is seeing that light bulb moment when they really capture a technique and they get excited about it.”

Students’ pieces can be viewed until Nov. 18. The show is open to anyone interested with no cost or tickets required.

“I hope the students learn that what they do matters,” Blair said. “The community enjoys it, their family enjoys it and the staff. I hope they will continue to create art and take art classes that can help enrich that.”