photo by Isabella Ash
Art Walk
showing at Ashalnd Art Works Q: Who/what inspires you? A: My inspiration comes from looking at other people’s art, noticing things through my day and listening to music mostly.
photo by Zeleyha Mata
photo by Zeleyha Mata
Meredith Granger
Macy Brehmer
showing at Ashland Natural Medicine
Indigo Pinder
Q: Why do you do art? A: I have to say that I’m not really good at art. I do it because occasionally I get pieces that I really enjoy and it makes me really happy. It makes it worthwhile to keep doing it to get something that I really love.
Q:Who/what inspires you? A: I draw inspiration from literature. I find quite of a few of the books I read which tend to have kind of a mystical element to them really inspiring.
2
showing at Ashland Natural Medicine
photo by Zeleyha Mata
photo by isabella Ash
Eamon Morris showing at Ashland Art Center
photo by Zeleyha Mata
Q: Who/what inspires you? A: I guess I’m inspired by nature and cultural themes.
Charlotte Julian showing at Ashland Art Center Q: Who/what inspires you? A: Ryder White Tarot card decks. I have always really loved Tarot and I wanted to start painting cards based on them.
Althea Moyer showing at Hanson Howard Gallery
photo by Zeleyha Mata
Q: Why do you do art? A: Probably because I’ve always done it so it’s just something I do. I like watching the stages of art.
Sofia Lindeaur
showing at Ashland Natural Medicine Q: Who/what inspires you? A: I’m really inspired by human bodies. Figure drawings are a big passion of mine because they’re so unique. That’s why I also love drawing fruits because they have really interesting shapes. I’m inspired by drawing powerful women
3
UNIQUE ART CLASSES by Bridget Burr
New classes taught by a new teacher, Max Malcomb, bring fresh artistic ideas to Ashland High School
4
Ceramics
3-D Design
Comic Book Art
When the ceramics class was introduced, it started out with only the basics: a kiln and a few pottery wheels. Now the instructor, Max Malcom, is looking into structuring the program so students in Ceramics 2 can sell their sculptures through local galleries with the help of the school with proceeds going back into the ceramics program. Alternatively, artists can sell their own work and make a profit independently. Malcom was excited to have the opportunity to teach this class.
3-D Design is a creative and experimental class that works with a large range of materials and concepts to construct works of art. They work week-to-week on projects like cardboard sculptures and paper-mache wrapped wire projects. The curriculum begins by having the students gain an understanding of 3-D through point-perspective drawing. Malcom also has the class work on 3-D printing and using computer-based schematics for sculptures that they then put together. There’s a lot of group work since life-sized projects often need more than one set of hands.
Comic Book Art is an exciting new class that is about illustration and comic book analysis. Students in Comic Book Art 2 create an 8 page story from start to finish. They draw out their book in stages: ink, color and photoshop. It’s a multifaceted process. Students pencil out pages, make a story board, know exactly where all the panels are going to go and make sure the story fits into 8 pages. Because of all this work, the class requires a dedicated student. They leave the class with a printed book of all their work.
Screen Printing With the passing of a new bill last year to fund Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes, Kris Prusko now has funding for his new class, Screen Printing. The class started with a dryer and one press, but thanks to the sales of student-designed screen printing products and Grizz wear, the program was able to buy more equipment and to expand the class. “With the money [from sales]” says Prusko, “we’ll get to go on some cool field trips, hopefully next year.” The Grizz wear is sold at school functions and online.
5
What Makes It Picture Perfect? The battle between digital and film photography rages on
DIGITAL by Logan Knouse
N
ew photographers may question the relative merits of digital and film photography. This article debates each method’s positives and negatives. To begin, digital cameras contain much more storage space than film cameras. With a film camera, a roll of 36 photos is average, meaning there are only 36 photos available before one needs to change out film rolls. On digital cameras, space is not an issue. A cheap memory card usually has about 32GB; that’s 3000 to 4000 photos. Digital cameras also have higher ISO capabilities, meaning they can shoot more clearly in low light situations. Additionally, for someone on a deadline, digital allows a person to see, edit and print photos almost immediately. The photos are also available online without hassle. The downsides of digital include an expensive upfront cost as digital equipment is generally more expensive than film equipment, especially for a good camera. Digital equipment also needs to be updated often as new advancements are always developing in the industry. Long trips will kill the battery, and hot and cold climates can interfere with the digital camera processes, even causing the camera to shut down.
FILM by Logan Knouse
T
he positives to film photography include a cheaper upfront cost, longer durability—the film cameras themselves don’t need to be updated; it’s the film that is adapting—and no overheating cameras. Film tends to showcase detail in black and white due to its high dynamic range. However, most new digital cameras average the same, if not slightly higher, dynamic range capabilities. Ashland High School student Sequoia Snogren-McGinnis prefers film. When asked why, Snogren-McGinnis replied, “Because the film is limited. You have to be more careful about what you’re taking pictures of and more aware of your settings so that the picture will turn out well…. I’m willing to spend time and money printing these photos because I know that they’ve gotten more of my attention and love than ones taken digitally.” The negatives of film include price. Developing images is expensive, whether you do it at home or at a shop. Chemical developer is in general $10-15 per roll of images and an in-store developing costs roughly $30 to develop and print a roll. Film cameras are also limited to 36 exposures per one roll, and scanning images to get them online or make copies lowers a picture’s resolution. Furthermore, photos take a lot longer to receive if they need to be developed, which could affect deadlines or projects. Essentially, it depends on the individual photographer’s personal style and needs to decide which method to pursue. Both methods are beautiful in their own ways and both serve their own purposes.
Counterclockwise from bottom right, four photos by Sequoia Snogren-McGinnis, two photos by Chiron Martini, three photos by Amara Sinnhuber
7
editorial by Logan Knouse
T
he thrifting movement is becoming more common among all kinds of people, but is especially popular with a certain group: the youth. However, thrifting does more than just make hipsters happy. It is a beneficial trend that pushes creativity and self-exploration, assists the community and improves the environment. But how can a mundane activity like thrift shopping impact so many areas of life? Thrift stores are considerably cheaper than other apparel stores. While you explore your style and self-expression, the prices stay low. This makes clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories affordable to a multitude of people. Thrifting is crucial in my own life because of its affordability. A few years ago, when I decided to start caring about what I looked like, the low cost of clothes and accessories at thrift stores allowed me to explore fashion interests without overspending. You can find anything in a thrift store; shoes are popular items as expensive brands can be heavily marked down. You can also find cute and unique cups to put plants in. Whether it be broke teens running on gas fumes or low income families trying to survive, thrift stores save needed cash on items that are usually overpriced elsewhere. Many thrift stores are also contributing to those in need. Often, thrift store funds go to charities or, in the case of Salvation Army, to programs helping the homeless and poor. You are also supporting local businesses by purchasing from thrift stores. This is a much better alternative than giving money to a corporation you dislike, don’t know or don’t approve of. Corporations and their methods of clothing production are often economically, environmentally and morally wrong. Studies done by environmental organizations such as Greenpeace have found chemicals on clothing sent from China and other common manufacturing countries. The studies concluded these chemicals are highly toxic to workers. Chemicals such as lead and nonylphenol ethoxylates poison the majority of China’s rivers due to the clothing factories in proximity. Greenpeace led the campaign “Detox plan 2020.” This plan involved major apparel companies and pressured them to incorporate plans which removed all toxic chemicals from manufacturing by 2020 in the hopes of reducing harmful working conditions. Buying second hand ensures companies who refused to cooperate with these and other guidelines don’t receive payment for endangering their workers. Thrifting also reduces the pollution associated with manufacturing, shipping, and packaging newly made items. And to top it off thrift store items aren’t ending up in a landfill. Thrifting not only saves money, it also contributes positively to the community and keeps money away from companies who would use it to do harm to others. There isn’t an easier way to help the world stay clean, moral and creative at once. 8
Striped Shirt: Goodwill Harvard Shirt: Depop, Pants: Buffalo Exchange
Jeans: Deja Vu Coat: from their great-grandmother. The coat has been hemmed and a button has been added. Shirt: Craigslist. Found on an ad listing items that a deceased woman named Phyllis had left behind
"I spent months putting this jacket together, knitting the denim and sewing on the canvas. It was so hard... Harder still: how do you paint a clown guy and make it NOT look creepy? C'est la vie, I guess." - Liam Pettee
Jacket: vintage shop in Seattle Pants: Goodwill
Outfit: Goodwill
Jack
et: H
ospic
e Un
ique
Bout
ique
Jack et & Shirt Levi : Goo Jean dwill. s: ST. Vinc ent D e Paul
Pants: Goodwill, Enamel Pins: independent artists
9
The Analog System for the Digital Age by Nicole Mullen
The bullet journal has been called the analog system of organization for the digital age. Created by digital product designer Ryder Carroll, the original bullet journal was designed to, as Carroll describes, “track the past, organize the present, and plan for the future.” Although the original system traditionally had bullets for to-do lists, events and notes in a clear and minimal style, the general consensus for a bullet journal is, “your journal, your rules.” Many stray from the strict formatting of the original bullet journal and instead use it for a creative outlet while still incorporating
10
an agenda. For senior Uma McGuire, bullet journals have been a place to harbor to-do lists, habit trackers and flat memorabilia such as movie or concert tickets, cards, and pressed flowers. Since beginning her bullet journal journey sophomore year, McGuire has completed 2 full journals, that document the ins and outs of each week of her high school years. Each week of the year is given its own “spread” consisting of two pages next to each other. A desire to share the system that helped her navigate high school and bring together fellow journal-ers drove
McGuire to create a bullet journal workshop for her senior project. McGuire explains, “the senior project presentation is supposed to encapsulate your high school experience, and I thought, ‘what else better to do for my project than the journals that documented most of it.” Magazines, markers, washi tape, glue and scissors will be supplied at the workshop, not to mention good company and hot cider. The workshop will be happening mid-April. Keep your eyes and ears open for more information on the AHS announcements.
photos by Charlie Burr
Paper Creations by Summer Cullen by Amber Eaton
Do you like paper? Do you like cats? Summer Cullen, a sophomore this year at AHS, has an interesting business you might not know about. Since Cullen was around 12 years old, she has been engaging in the art of paper folding. You might think you know about paper folding if you are a fan of origami, but Cullen’s art forms are very different. Paper folding produces geometric structures representing a range of nature-related subjects. These pieces of art come in all shapes and sizes. During 2018, Cullen started channeling this passion into a business. Cullen enjoyed paper folding the first time she tried it and has been doing it “on and off ” since then. However, now that she has made it into a business, it takes up a large chunk of her free time. “I don’t know if I’d have quite the motivation to create if I wasn’t selling them,” notes Cullen. Under the alias “Diptyeti,” shehas a page on Etsy (a website for selling art) where people can purchase foldable paper templates for all sorts of things, including cats!
These templates come in the form of a downloadable pdf with instructions. Under the alias “Diptyeti,” shehas a page on Etsy (a website for selling art) where people can purchase foldable paper templates for all sorts of things, including cats! These templates come in the form of a downloadable pdf with instructions. Assembling the templates requires a couple hours of work and a basic knowledge of geometry, but they end up looking amazing for the small amount of effort they take. Also, each template can be printed on any color of paper, making for some interesting color combinations. To build these geometric creations, you use numbered tabs on the pieces to match parts of the template to other sections. The templates are also relatively inexpensive for their quality, ranging from $2.99 up to $9.99. Cullen makes the templates herself, first making a 3D model from scratch and then running the model
photos by Summer Culllen & Ayla Prusko
itally traced on paper. This process takes at least several days. Once it is finished, Cullen uploads the digital template to her Etsy page which gives her a lot of satisfaction. “I can feel really proud of what I created,” says Cullen. If you want to find these amazing works of art then just look up “Diptyeti” on Etsy: Cullen is the first result. Enjoy your beautiful, easy to assemble, and fragile creations, courtesy of Diptyeti! 11
POETRY SLAMS IN ASHLAND by Alex Brehmer
W
hen you think of a poetry slam what’s the first thing that comes to mind? I always imagine a small, dark and smoky room filled with beret-clad beat-nik-wannabes who are snapping and moaning similes in time to some off-camera bongos. The Black Sheep is dimly lit, but that’s as close to my pretentious fantasies as it comes. Poetry slams are the artistic equivalent to a football game: big crowds, loud cheering, and most importantly... competition. The first thing you’ll note after you make your way up the Black Sheep stairwell is the plastic Folgers bin full of five-dollar bills. Yep - there’s a cover! All the money goes to the winning poets, split 20% to third place, 30% to second, and 50% to first. If you’re performing, you’ll write your name on a little sheet of paper and drop it into a second plastic Folgers bin. Then you’ll go and find a place to sit where you can anxiously reread your poetry and scope out the competition. I went to my very first poetry slam two years ago with my parents. My dad thought that a shirley temple (delicious cherry syrupy sprite) would be a good drink to sooth my nerves. BUBBLY WATER DOES NOT HELP WITH NERVES AND WILL UPSET YOUR TUMMY AND MAKE YOU COLD AND EXTRA SHAKEY WHEN ITS YOUR TURN!! I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT! Try an Arnold Palmer or a John Daly instead! Soon enough, the Slam Master (SM) will head to the mic and run through all the rules. “Slam Master” is the official poetry slam term for host. In November of 2018, the founder of the Rogue Poetry Slam granted me the opportunity to take over as Slam Master. It’s been a lot of hard work, but also a ton of fun! The SM will start off the night by choosing five random judges from the audience. These judges are handed white boards and are asked to score poems on a scale from one to ten. The slam is a
12
three-round competition, so in order to compete, all poets must have three self-written poems. Once all the rules are read and clarifying questions have been answered, the SM will randomly draw the poets’ names out of the bucket. This is done to avoid unfair advantages due to the dreaded “score creep”: a phenomenon in which first poets are scored low, and last poets are scored high. At the end of round #1 the scores will be compared, and half the poets will move into the second round. The other half will then continue into the final round. Now the question becomes: how does one ‘score’ poetry? How can we rate someone’s intimate artistic outlet on a scale from one to ten? Isn’t that, like, totally uncool? Just like the poetry, judging is incredibly personal. Poems are scored on how they reached a judge on that particular Tuesday. Their score has nothing to do with the quality or value of said poetry. With different judges every night, there’s never a set rubric to a perfect score. The Rogue Poetry Slam was started 6 years ago by T-Poe. Since its start, the slam has grown and evolved tremendously, changing venues and crowds. The slam will continue to change in the years to come, but the core values will always be the same. The slam is a safe place to express and to share art. It has become one of the most important parts of my life, but it isn’t for everyone. The competition aspect is motivating to some, and a huge barrier to others. If you are into terrifying but not-life-threatening experiences and being vulnerable in front of strangers - Slam Poetry is for you!
GIRL WITH NO FAITH
What do I say to you when it’s no longer there? Or is it ever present but just not showing it’s ugly face when I truly need it to? Even worse, am I just not right? A record on repeat on repeat doomed to make the same decisions over and over Broken promises upon dying wishes Wilted flowers where my brain cells should be Is it us or is it just me? I need the answers as my thoughts come in riddles Searching for the bottle I worry but can’t stop Scared and concerned I want not but to hurt Slamming soliloquies shot after shot I fear the answers But answers there shall be naught -I dont want you to hurt, please don’t hurt Jared Stamper
My family is Jewish but I am not. when my father moved away from his family in Pennsylvania I think how it must have felt like leaving his religion behind him my mother raised my siblings and I without even giving faith a nod with no religion, we grew up with no god and I remember going to family gatherings on the east coast and feeling like a stranger like I didn’t speak their language and when it came the age for my cousin's bat mitzvah I sat through the ceremony in silence because I was an outsider. Mazel tov olivia I don’t know what the f*** I’m doing here We share the same blood, the same ancestors who fled Poland in escape of a worse end and somehow I am disconnected. so when we talk about faith it is just a reminder that I am faithless before god I remain faceless and all this comes down to one complete thought that my family is Jewish but I am not. Rivers Holtzman
13
ART IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS PRIMARY SCHOOLS TAKE A CUE FROM PRIMARY COLORS by Grace Johnson and Lily Valenta
E
lementary students across Ashland are doing more art than ever. This year in particular has been great for the kindergarteners at Helman Elementary and the fourth graders at Willow Wind. Students are learning more about how to develop their artistic styles and use creativity to express their individuality. Although Willow Winders and Helman Dragons are doing different art projects, a common theme connects the schools—creative expression is valued no matter what grade. The kindergarteners at Helman Elementary create art every day. Mia Driscoll, one of the kindergarten teachers, made sure to point out that art is deeply implemented into her students’ curriculum and that “it is really important for children to be able to have time when they are allowed to be creative because it’s very good for their brain.” As the school year has gone on, students have filled out their art journals more and more. Their “skills are growing every day. They are learning to take their time to do their best work which has been a positive as well,” said Driscoll. According students Amira and Sarah, they both love to paint and draw in class. Sarah especially loves to do her homework, which involves coloring in alphabet letters and drawing pictures to accompany them. Entering fourth grade teacher Sarah Lowenberg’s classroom at Willow Wind is like entering a newspaper hurricane. Bits and pieces of cardboard and wet newspaper are scattered at each table to help students construct their papier-mâché birds as part of their Audubon study. Hung on the walls are magnificent watercolors of different birds in the style 14
of young wildlife artist, John James Audubon himself. He was known for his life-size bird paintings in the early 1800s. The students in Lowenberg’s classroom are able to experience the young and intrepid spirit of Audubon, and look at the wilderness in a whole new way, which offers a fresh perspective on art. These 4th grade students are able to learn about bird conservation while enjoying the fun of exploring art.
Despite persistent budget cuts to art programs, schools throughout the Ashland School District are still finding engaging ways to help their students put their unique expressions onto paper. Teachers are highlighting the importance of art in their classrooms, not just skills like math and reading.
Left: A kindergarten student in Mia Driscoll’s class at Helman Elementary School created this painting. Here, the student used complementary colors of blue and orange to create emphasis for the subject on the background.
Above: A Vesper Sparrow painted using watercolors by a fourth grade student at Willow Wind. Left: Another student in Mia Driscoll’s class at Helman Elementary School created this self-potrait. The student used tissue paper arranged in a mosiac-collage style to create the background. Rounding out the piece, the student used black pen to draw the central figure, creating contrast in the potrait. Leftmost: This painting of three screech owls was part of a drawing from a nature unit done at Willow Wind. This piece (along with the Vesper Sparrow) is featured in the principal’s office.
15
AHS GRADS PURSUING ART
Ashland High School graduates often choose to pursue art as a career after high school. Here are a few recent grads who dove right into the industry. We asked each of them some questions about their post-high school path, how they envision their future, and how their artistic backgrounds at AHS inspired them to get where they want to go.
AMELIA O’DOUGHERTY graduated in 2012 AMELIA O’DOUGHERTY HAS fond memories of morning art classes at AHS. After graduation, she began her degree at Prescott College in Arizona but left after drastic cuts were made to the art program. She has no plans to go back to school and is working out of Sisters, OR, where she has a small business making hand-painted hats. She says, “My favorite medium is watercolor because it’s playful, comfortable, and portable. I love how I can create a story with a small amount of paint and space.” Right now she is working on a series of large watercolors inspired by quilts and stained glass, which will be hanging in Sisters by July.
SURIEL HESS graduated in 2016
16
AFTER GRADUATING FROM AHS, where he spent his time jamming in the music room during passing periods, Suriel Hess jumped straight into his music career. He says, “I did not go to college. I realized how much I wanted to pursue music early on in Senior year. I felt like it was most important to give it my everything right then, rather than studying another four years.” His Justin Timberlake-inspired music is gaining momentum, with youtube videos garnering over 800,000 views. Right now he is working on the acoustic version of his single “Parts of You,” which will be released within a month. Other than that, he is busy doing live shows around LA and creating more content for his YouTube channel.
Counterclockwise bottom left, Hess playing music, Sorensen acting, car photos by Sager, art by Mindling-Werling, art by O’Dougherty
SONORA MINDLING -WERLING graduated in 2015 AFTER GRADUATING, SONORA Mindling-Werling bought a one-way ticket to Europe and hasn’t stopped moving since. She says, “I chose the whole ‘follow your dreams’ route, and have been making my way in the world as a freelance visual artist for the past three years.” Art classes at AHS allowed her to create with all different mediums. “I believe in experimenting with as many mediums as possible because the medium you use definitely has an influence on the art that is created, each allows a different aspect of your imagination to flow out.” She hand-paints vintage jackets and recently launched her first set of tee shirts for her brand, “MindWerl.” Right now, she is working on her second book of art, photography, poems, and stories from her travels.
BEN SAGER BEN SAGER LEARNED his craft in digital media and graduated in 2013 art classes at AHS and soon after graduating plunged into his career. He and his business partner, Hudson Wallbank, provide high-quality photography for automotive companies and their company is one of the first to bring social media advertising to car dealerships. Sager notes that ”Over the past six years I’ve never been asked about my education, but that’s only because I’m not in a field that requires a degree. As a photographer, your portfolio is what gives you credibility.” He just finished a shoot in Palm Springs, and he’ll spend the next couple days editing before delivering the final photos.
AT AHS, AMELIA Sorensen was an avid participant in theater. While this will remain special to her, she has been drawn to film and TV recently. She says, “Every project I watch inspires or impacts me in some way or another, as an artist or as an audience member.” This drive is what helped her make the decision not to go to college. “I felt in my gut that it wasn’t right for me right now, and I just wanted to jump right into the industry and learn the craft that AMELIA SORENSEN way. I might go back at some point, but for now, I’m really happy studying independentgraduated in 2016 ly.” She will soon appear as Juliet in a short film retelling of the balcony scene of Romeo and Juliet. 17
MAKING A MODERN SPLASH IN DESIGN
Little Mermaid costuming brings out the best of recycling by Zeleyha Mata
This year’s Ashland High School theatre production of “The Little Mermaid” made a splash in the art of costume design. With props and costumes made almost entirely out of plastic and designed beautifully by our talented alum, Emily Ehrlich Inget, the classic fairytale story was brought to life with a modern twist. Going behind the scenes, designer Ehrlich Inget gave an in depth description of the ins and outs of designing for “The Little Mermaid” and a unique backstory of how she got into design. Ehrlich Inget graduated from AHS in 1998 with a love for all things theatre. In college, she was on track to becoming an equity stage manager, but decided instead to pursue costume design after she was offered an opportunity to design for someone’s show. Her career eventually brought her back home, and since 2005, she’s worked with AHS’ theatre department as a costume designer. “The Little Mermaid” is her 27th production. When describing her initial idea, Ehrlich Inget stated, “I was trying to figure out just how to do the show in the most beautiful and also the most cost effective way.” Through her love of the ocean and a bit of inspiration from Pinterest, Ehrlich Inget stumbled across the perfect idea. “I saw a picture of a jellyfish puppet that somebody had made with one of those clear plastic umbrellas… then all of a sudden it occurred to me: why don’t I do the whole show like that?” From there, Ehrlich Inget’s creativity took off. Using plastic that was lying around her house, Ehrlich Inget began creating prototypes of puppets and other elements for the show. She explains her first idea, “The flower that Ariel has in her hair for the production is actually one of the first prototypes I made,” then describes that the flower was made from the plastic inserts used in apple crate containers. After her idea was approved by producer, Betsy Bishop, and director, Caroline Shaffer, the theatre department sent out a word to the community asking for plastic donations. The result was 200 cubic feet of “everything you could imagine: produce containers, plastic bags, bottle caps, six pack rings, agricultural netting, and laundry scoops,” Ehrlich Inget explains. For the next two months, Ehrlich Inget got to work creating for the final result we saw on stage. As for the personal touch, Ehrlich Inget states her goal is “to be able to save a few things from the land fill, no matter how small, and also to be able to just elevate them into something beautiful.” Through her inspiring creativity, Ehrlich Inget was able to incorporate her love of the ocean into a project that showcases the perfect marriage between a favorite childhood fairytale and a modern take on today’s sea life. The audience (and sea creatures) thank her for a splendid edition to the show. 18
“I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY NICE TO RECYCLE THINGS INSTEAD OF LETTING THEM GO TO THE LANDFILL” -SCOTT HEASLIP
“IT WAS REALLY A CREATIVE EXPERIENCE AND I’M PROUD OF HOW IT ALL CAME OUT” -AKIRA SUPELANA-MIX
GETTING THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED by Zeleyha Mata
A
photos by Zoe Fenstermacher and Zeleyha Mata
fter the plastic costume design idea was set in motion, AHS’ theatre department wanted to get students thinking about our oceans. A message was sent out to all classes inviting the teachers to have their students participate in a poster contest. The posters were made under 3 categories: The challenges of ocean pollution, the solutions, and an artistic take on the issue. Each participating class brought their own plastic and designed their own unique poster displays promoting awareness of today’s plastic pollution. Two winners from each category were chosen to be displayed in the theatre lobby and were awarded three tickets to “The Little Mermaid” production. 19
LISTEN LOCALLY by Kali de Saint Phalle
Y
oung composers and songwriters are an ever growing and evolving group within Ashland’s community. For young songwriters, one of the hardest parts of growing as a musician and composer is finding a place to showcase and share new pieces. Another important element is having a supportive and interested community of people who are eager to listen to new music. The Ashland community fills that role adequately. Not only are there supportive people who want to listen, but also people who are willing to give performance opportunities to young musicians. In Ashland, kids are performing and creating everywhere, and there are so many opportunities to listen and support. Whether it’s listening to them on Instagram, SoundCloud or going to a local performance, there are so many ways to support our AHS songwriters. One of the best places to find young songwriters performing is social media. Many songwriters are terrified to post, but once they finally build up the courage, they can make quite the splash.
20
Many local songwriters’ and composers’ music can be found on Instagram and some even have Instagram accounts exclusively for their music. Another online option is SoundCloud. SoundCloud allows musicians to upload their music to an online music sharing platform that can be listened to and played all around the world. Not only can listeners find local songwriters, but new talent from anywhere and everywhere. Yes, having online listeners is amazing, but one of the greatest feelings in the world for a young songwriter is performing for an audience in real time. There are many opportunities to go and listen to local singers and songwriters live. One venue is Aqua, a restaurant in downtown Ashland that allows many young musicians to showcase their talents. To find performers, Aqua solicits the help of Tish McFadden, a local music teacher who works with many kids in the valley. Every Sunday, young musicians play live at Aqua from five to seven. Also, most Wednesdays, Ashland High School’s jazz band plays a mix of
20
traditional and funk-inspired jazz music at Aqua. Another platform is the Phoenix Clubhouse. Every Wednesday there is an all ages open mic. Every last Friday of the month, the Southern Oregon Songwriters hosts an open mic for original music only at Pony Espresso in Jacksonville. The sign-ups start at 5 p.m. and those interested can hear live local original music until 7 p.m. There are many local opportunities for local songwriters to showcase their pieces and gain recognition in the valley. Whether a songwriter is looking for performance opportunities or a local supporter is looking for something to do, there are so many options to choose from. So if you’re all alone, bored with your friends, or just into music, go see some local songwriters and show your support. The songwriters in this valley are incredible and work hard to get their music out there and to be recognized. Songwriting, as with all art forms is about connection, so let’s all do our best to connect local artists with venues and interested listeners.
H
FANTASTIC MUSICIANS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM by Lexi Taylor and Ava Hearn
ere in Ashland, Oregon, arts such as theatre, dance and music are important. Ashland’s citizens all know of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival because of the theatre and visual arts opportuni-
ties it provides, but as far as music goes, young musicians have a more difficult time getting the local recognition they need. Although SoundCloud and other music apps offer great ways for artists to
upload their music, it can still take time for emerging artists to be discovered. In order to bring attention to musicians on campus, Rogue News has curated a list of “AHS artists to watch.”
Ashland High School juniors Zephyr Wise-Lee and Rowan Gott are independent musicians and songwriters. With Wise-Lee on guitar and Gott on vocals and ukulele, they make for a compatible duo. They don’t always upload their music, but once in a while, you might see them play at an open mic at the Phoenix Club-House. Most of their songs have a sad and soulful vibe achieving an indie sound. The two say their songs are based on feelings of sadness and write through the night when a bolt of inspiration strikes. Gott says she has always been writing songs, so when she uploaded a song to Snapchat, Wise-Lee reached out to her and they came together to make some sweet tunes. photo by Ethan Bennett
Another pair of upcoming Ashland artists, junior Parker Collins and sophomore Cruz McNamara, are also working towards making a name for themselves. They both grew up playing musical instruments, and after meeting in Ashland High School Jazz Band, have recently started collaborating to make songs. Their music leans toward smooth jazz and blues but with an upbeat sound. Collins says that they “like to jump around between genres and mix things up.” With idols such as Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and Stevie Ray Vaughan, the two obviously have appreciation for the greats and strive to further improve their skills through hard work and determination. Their debut single, “Pretty Thing,” featuring McNamara on guitar and Collins on bass, vocals and production, can be found on SoundCloud. The pair has new music on the horizon. photo courtesy of Cruz McNamara
photo courtesy of Parker Collins
Senior Sonny Williams recently released her first EP, “Sunny Days” on Spotify. She decided to make the album for her senior project and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Although Williams was faced with many difficult obstacles during the creative process, the finished EP shows that her dedication and hard work definitely paid off. Williams has been singing and making music ever since she could talk, picking up the ukulele, shortly followed by the guitar, when she was seven. Most of her songs are inspired by experiences with friends, past relationships and just the overall rollercoaster of emotions felt throughout high school. Williams says there were many things that made it difficult to produce her music. The sound of bickering siblings made for distracting background noise and, like many high school students, procrastination was her real enemy while working on the project. Williams says she doesn’t know if she will pursue this as a future career, but it will always be a hobby of hers. “I’m ready to dedicate more time into the next album and make it more centered and a collected thing that’s less like a project with a due date and more of an expression of myself,” says Williams. Sit back and enjoy Williams’ soft and relaxed voice backed by her mellow guitar on her EP “Sunny Days.” The EP can be found on Spotify, SoundCloud and photo courtesy of Sonny Williams other music platforms under her artist name Sonny Days. 21
30 YEARS OF GRIZZ by Grace Schroder and Jude Williams
I
t’s September 15, 1989 in the mid- no hopes of the painting remaining dle of the night. Ken Cobb and Ja- for more than a few days, especially son Williams sneak onto the campus after previous graffiti had been sandof Ashland High School with paint in blasted off other school buildings. hand. They leave behind a 10 foot by However, the student body quickly 10 mural of the mascot, a grizzly bear, rallied around the mural. Marketing on the top of the large gym. In the classes sold T-shirts with the mural on morning, once the mural is discovered, them during homecoming the followimmediate controversy ing year, and students is sparked. Then prineventually moved to Artists ciple, Jim Bergene, apsign a petition to keep preciated the quality have been the painting. Despite and school spirit, but expressing the fact that mural was worried about how this positively received, might set a precedent themselves Cobb, Eibner, and Wilfor other unauthorized through work liams vowed to never murals. Despite the that goes reveal themselves, fearcontroversy and a rening punishment from ovation, the mural has against the school or the poremained. 2019 marks legal rules. lice. the 30th anniversary. For decades, artists Back in 1989, Cobb have been expressand Williams, with watchman Kev- ing themselves through work that in Eibner, painted the massive depic- goes against legal rules and regtion of a helmet-clad grizzly busting ulations. Some of the most through the walls of the gym as a way iconic pieces have been to get the student body riled up be- done without permission. fore the game between No. 1 Ashland Some major examples inand No. 2 Roseburg. They only hoped clude the mural on the that the mural would stay long Berlin Wall done by Dmitri enough for ticket-buyers Vrubel, Banksy’s countless paintings, to get a view before and the bronze Charging Bull on Wall the game, and Street by Arturo Di Modica. These h a d works of street art were not originally taken well, but they have been kept and have become iconic points of culture in these places.
“
”
22
The street has become a canvas for artists to represent their culture, ideas, and politics. It is a newer form of expression, though not condoned by governments. Street art became popular in the 1970s and has kept growing. An article from the New York Times, from July 11th 2014, features a muralist who goes by Lady Pink. She says “I, for one, would also rather see the creative outpouring of our youth on the walls instead of the billboards and advertising inflicted upon us around every corner.” Many of our community members share her view as well. The fate of the AHS gym mural would come into question again during renovations of the outdated gym building. It was decided the front of the building would be preserved, mur a l intact, with the artists even coming out of hiding to touch up the faded spray paint. “The Grizz” has continued to watch over the generations of Ashland High School students from the front of the gym. For the three Ashland High School seniors, they used the mural as a form of school spirit. It was decided that the mural should stay, as how a lot of other street art has been kept. “The Grizz” inspires students and has become an iconic piece of Ashland High School and its history.
GOVERNMENT CLASS GETS SKETCHY by Allie Poole
C
ambria Floren, in teaching her semester-long government class, recently gave her students an assignment meant to stimulate creative interpretation of modern day politics. Over the course of a few class periods the students were asked to analyze and respond to three different political cartoons regarding current events. “It’s im-
by Cora Stonewood
by Jospeh Wallner
portant for them to start learning how to analyze, not just doing a summary or a response,” says Floren, regarding the project. After examining the symbolism and references in the artwork, the class was instructed to create a political cartoon of their own design and context. Floren says encouraging individual thought
and expression is the primary focus of the assignment. “I am not censoring my students at all,” she mentions. “They are expressing their own political view, which is also one of the learning targets of the course.” Below are three examples of the student’s work by Lilia Chapman, Cora Stonewood and Joseph Wallner.
by Lilia Chapman
by Tatiana Cegin-Wagner
23
-------Design Board------Editors In-Chief..............Marcus Mullen, Uma McGuire, Eliza Strong, Ayla Prusko, Nicole Mullen, Charlie Burr Cover.........Lily Valenta, Liam Pettee Page 2-3.........Keona Hajje Page 4-5.........Bella Sallee Page 6-7.........Savannah Johnson Page 8-9.........Payden Swofford and Riley Crook Page 10-11.........Taylor Hanks Page 12-13.........Charlotte Julian Page 14-15.........Sequoia Jacobson Page 16-17.........Sophia Wiencek Page 18-19.........Zoe Fenstermacher Page 20-21.........Caden Young page 22-23.........Dylan Blisard