2024 Cushing Academy Visual Arts Magazine

2024 Cushing Academy VISUAL ARTS MAGAZINE

2024 CUSHING ACADEMY VISUAL ARTS MAGAZINE

Each year, Cushing students produce an extraordinary number of creative pieces. This magazine highlights some of the artistic creations produced by our talented artists during the 2023-24 academic year. We commend our students for their hard work, talent, progress, and willingness to share their work with others.

FACULTY

Deborah Gardner, Department Chair

Jeanine Eschenbach

Rebecca Cinclair

PHOTOGRAPHY

Deborah Gardner

Jeanine Eschenbach

Rebecca Cinclair

Philip Wexler

DESIGN

PB Dubois

Cover Art: Kylie Butterfield ’24, ceramic dragon fired using the Raku firing process. See the back cover for a detailed description of the Raku firing process.

SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS

Cushing visual artists received one Gold Key, nine Silver Keys, and five Honorable Mentions in the 2024 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program. Winning pieces are indicated throughout the magazine with the Scholastic Awards icon.

Copyright © 2024 Cushing Academy

All rights to illustration, photography, and text are reserved by Cushing Academy. Artwork may not be copied, reproduced, or translated in whole or in part without written permission of Cushing Academy.

ADVANCED ART PORTFOLIO

Advanced art students who are in the process of preparing a body of work towards a portfolio have the opportunity to participate in our Advanced Art Portfolio course. This rigorous year-long experience is for passionate and serious artists who have had success in one or more mediums and courses and allows them to develop a cohesive body of work that represents their overall achievement in art.

Jihye Lee ‘26

Ray Hecht ‘25

Chunming “April” Liu ‘24

Yundi “Wendy” Hu ‘25

Jinhao “Jin” Han ‘26

Chunming “April” Liu ’24

I have been taking classes in a lot of different mediums, and so there is a lot of mixed media in my portfolio. For instance, if I’m doing a painting or drawing, I may incorporate ceramic elements. I combine all these different material ideas and put them into the work — so the pieces are not strictly in any one discipline. They combine many disciplines and are more holistic, like fine art.

One of the themes I’ve been working with is social anxiety around weight and appearance. I’ve created pieces about rulers and royalty — because I think social standards are playing the role of “ruler of the people.” In some of my jewelry designs, the design restricts and inhibits the wearer’s movement, similar to the restrictions and inhibitions surrounding anxiety about the appearance of our bodies.

This year, I’m trying to put more of my own consciousness — or stream-of-consciousness — into my work. So there are a lot of dreamy, magical elements. I created a process for this where I just touch the work and feel it — like how seeds are naturally growing from the ground — where elements are brewing off the paper and the ink ends and another external element begins. While I think there’s a lot of myself in the work — I also think with this process the work is also kind of selfless — which makes it unique and allows everyone to interpret it in their own way.

Chunming will attend McGill University in the fall.

Yunran “Angel” Hu ‘25

Yundi “Wendy” Hu ‘25

Chunming “April” Liu ‘24

Jihye Lee ‘26

David Scott ‘25

Yundi “Wendy” Hu ‘25

Yundi ”Wendy” Hu ‘25

Yunran “Angel” Hu ‘25

Chunming “April” Liu ‘24

ARCHITECTURE

Grounded in a design-thinking approach, students experience problem-solving methods in preparation for tackling complex structure challenges, sculptural construction, and product design fabrication. Creative and imaginative three-dimensional form and space-making foster an understanding of global historical context and design vocabulary and technique. Students also use strategies to conceptualize sustainable environments that reduce negative environmental impacts holistically.

Nate Parreira ‘24

Lily Prendergast ‘24

Graham Hickey ‘24

Bryer Cagle ’24

My favorite thing about architecture is the ability to build and create anything you want. It’s as if there is no limit on what you can do. There are no specific lines you can’t cross — if you want to cut something out and replace it, you can. Or make a different shape or design something that hasn’t been done before. It’s a process just fueled by creativity.

That creativity can sometimes be intimidating. With drawing a building, it’s up to you. You have to start with an idea, and if you don’t have any great ideas it can be really challenging, like writers’ block. But once you DO have an idea, it’s amazing how it sparks and snowballs into something bigger and better.

While I’ve been at Cushing, I’ve really tried to take all of the art classes I could: photography, drawing, metalsmithing, fused glass. The teachers here are so supportive and help you every step of the way. Next year, I’m going to Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston where I want to do aerospace engineering. Eventually, I want to be an engineer designing something with airplanes.

Bryer will attend Wentworth Institute of Technology in the fall.

Dylan Slimak ‘24

Kendra Salcedo Barrera ‘25

Jaxon Tereau ‘24

Danny Pasqua ‘24

Jaehyo “Daniel” Choi ‘25

Lily Prendergast ‘24

CERAMICS

Ceramics students explore a variety of techniques employed while working with clay, including: hand-building, wheel-throwing, glazing and decorative styles, and firing techniques. While developing technical proficiency, individual creative expression is encouraged. Students learn how to critique their own work and that of others. They also learn about ceramics from different historical periods and cultures.

Amelia “Mimi” Battleman ‘26

Angelina Zehnder ‘25

Bella Dickinson ‘24

Chunming “April” Liu ‘24

Xiaokui “Daisy” Huang ‘25

Chunming “Alice” Liu ‘24

Elsa Caiazza ‘25

Yunran “Angel” Hu ‘25

Xiaokui “Daisy” Huang ‘25

Tobias Trigg ’24

I think I’ve grown tremendously as an artist here. I mean, I’ve never considered myself good at art — I didn’t like art ever, really, until ceramics. But I’ve found it really fun and I discovered I really like making things with my hands.

It’s relaxing to feel yourself shaping the clay. It’s really liberating. If I mess up, I’m free to try over and over again until I get something that I like. I feel empowered, like: I’m gonna go big and if I don’t get it right the first time, it’s not a big deal. I’ll try again. And hopefully I’ll get it eventually.

I think my favorite thing about the art department here is having the freedom to try new things. And that all the materials and equipment are here for you. And that it’s not a big deal if you mess up. I think that’s really the most important thing for people who are learning art — I would never have been able to make these amazing bowls or mugs if I was worried about every time that I messed up. And I think there’s something to learn from that.

Tobias will attend Lafayette College in the fall.

Emilie Domit Moiño ‘27

Chunming “April” Liu ‘24

Xiaokui “Daisy” Huang ‘25

Luke Goukler ‘24

Emilie Domit Moiño ‘27

Chloe Lovett ‘26

DRAWING + PAINTING

Cushing’s 40’x 80’ Shevenell Drawing and Painting studio is filled with natural light and is the ideal space for students pursuing painting, drawing, architectural design, art history, and other artistic endeavors. The studio also serves as a space for art shows, demonstrations, and workshops.

David Scott ‘25

DeAndre Maxwell ‘24

Javen Welch ‘27

Javen Welch ’27

Jihye Lee ‘26

Yunran “Angel” Hu ‘25

Finch Salvucci ‘26

Mackenzie Babine ‘26

Brody Ladas ‘27

Lauren Walsh ‘24

Jinhao “Jin” Han ‘26

METALSMITHING

Students learn to make jewelry and small sculptures using traditional metal fabrication techniques in the Johnson Metalsmithing Studio. After learning the basic skills, students are encouraged to create their own designs and processes. In addition, resources and opportunities for learning gemstone cutting, gemstone faceting, and stone inlay techniques are available.

Lenin Galarraga ‘24

Bryer Cagle ‘24

Ashley Zhong ‘27

Will Rawlins ‘25

Chunming “April” Liu ‘24

Philippa “Pippa” Zed ‘25

Eduardo Marron Marquez ‘25

Shotaro “Sho” Higashi ‘24

Bryer Cagel ‘24

Syeda “Ariba” Haque ‘25

Ryan Ward ’25

Casey Wood ’24

With metalsmithing, I like how it’s a really physical thing you’re working on. It’s not a flat painting. It’s not dry. It’s 3D. And it’s something that you forge with your hands. I mean, it’s demanding when you’re shaping metal. It’s not like you’re lightly tapping and just moving your fingers around, you’re hitting it with a hammer! You’re hitting it with a hammer HARD.

The main materials we use in class are copper and silver. The biggest difference between them is how they react to heat — the temperatures for melting points are different. Copper tends to be more malleable than silver and tarnishes more quickly. Silver can develop a shiny, reflective surface. Gemstones that require light to pass through them really sparkle in a silver setting.

My experience at Cushing kind of opened me up to the idea of art. Before, I wouldn’t have said I was an artist — but now I do, so I think that’s a big leap forward. After graduating, I plan on pursuing mechanical engineering, with a focus on motorsports — and I think my experience here in the studio is going to tie into that nicely.

Casey will attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in the fall.

FUSED + STAINED GLASS

Students learn the processes of both fused and stained glass, including glass cutting, grinding, kiln fusing and slumping, copper foiling, and soldering. Project choices range from building stained glass suncatchers and hingedcovered boxes to fused glass pendants, ornaments, dishes, and bowls. As students’ skills develop, they are encouraged to explore a variety of techniques and create their own unique designs.

Wenqian “Sophia” Zhang ‘26

Minami Okano ‘26

Leah Croom ‘24

Tony Victor Gao ‘25

Victoria “Vic” Ballas Bucay ‘25

Owen Asadoorian ‘26

Rachel Adegoke ’24

I’ve always had a really packed academic schedule, so I scheduled art classes as my afternoon activity. I thought it would just be something that I would do for an hour or so and then leave, but then I ended up enjoying the classes so much that I actually seek time outside of the activity period to get into the studio. I mean, I never thought of myself as an artist at all — because I can’t draw very well and I didn’t feel like I had artistic vision. But then, with the support of our art teachers, I found mediums that really allow me to express myself.

I enjoy the process of working with glass. Everything’s in your hands. You start with a general idea in your mind. Then, as you grind your pieces, you begin to get a clearer image of what the outcome will be — and you’re always guiding and controlling the process.

There is a recent trend with doing glass pieces that are three-dimensional, but that are also stained — so they’re not fused. Ms. Cinclair showed some examples in class, and I enjoyed making one of my own. I like how this piece turned out because it’s so interconnected. You have to produce all three sides of the squares before you can do the final one. And then when you do the final one it is just really satisfying to see how they all come together. And when you hang it, it just looks great.

Rachel will attend Brown University in the fall.

Yundi “Wendy” Hu ‘25

Minjin Kang ‘27

Miles Campbell ‘24

Shane Collins ‘24

Tony Victor Gao ‘25

Jorge Estrelles Hernanz ‘25

David Wood ‘25

Leah Croom ‘24

Victoria “Vic” Ballas Bucay ‘25

PHOTOGRAPHY

Cushing offers students a variety of ways to explore photography. With the opportunity to work in both digital and traditional black and white film, students learn the technical and aesthetic aspects of creating photographs with artistic merit. Cushing’s photography studios include a digital lab, studio lighting, and a 10-person darkroom. Canon digital and film cameras are provided.

Yi Hong “Luke” Wu ‘26

Bao Tran ‘26

Qianlai “Jay” Zhou ‘27

Lyujia “Peter” Pan ‘24

Lyujia “Peter” Pan ’24

Being a photographer helps me appreciate the world around me a lot more. It helps me see things from different angles. Like, if I’m walking down a street, sometimes I’ll see a building and the composition of the building becomes really interesting to me. Instead of just walking by, I’ll walk around it, and just examine it for a couple of minutes trying to understand it.

I like how you can think about photography as a picture of reality — but most of the time what is interesting about photography is the abstract stuff. If you’re doing a project where your subject is an apple, you can make that apple as abstract as possible and then, suddenly, there’s a story and narrative behind it. Is that an apple? Or is that a person? Or a mood? Or a feeling?

The arts program is one of the reasons I came to Cushing. At my previous school, photography was treated like a hobby. Here it is an actual class. There are different levels of photography available — and Ms. Cinclair mentors you. She not only teaches you how to take good photos, but also how to analyze them. I love how comprehensive the courses are — from high-level math and physics and to things like art and ceramics.

Peter will attend the University of Washington in the fall.

Hiroki Nagatome ‘27

Madeline “Maddy” Devin ‘27

Jingtian “Michael” Yang ‘27

Natalia “Nat” Marron Marquez ‘27

Oliver Svoboda ‘27

Lyla Rahn ‘26

CUSHING ACADEMY

VISUAL ARTS PROGRAM

Cushing Academy is home to one of the most highly respected visual arts programs in secondary education. The Emily Fisher Landau Center for the Visual Arts offers the program the highest caliber, professional-level facilities for every medium offered.

The heart of our philosophy is to honor and enrich each student’s creative spirit while they develop the technical and critical skills needed to express themselves artistically. We prioritize an understanding and appreciation for the artistic process, develop skilled use of materials and methods, and encourage experimentation.

Classes are offered for the beginning student to develop a firm foundational artistic skill base, gain confidence in accessing, processing, and expressing their creativity, and understand the artistic expression of others. Advanced classes are offered in a variety of media to cultivate the creativity of the inner artist, challenge their intellectual and technical abilities, and develop the artistic confidence necessary to express themselves in a thoughtful and meaningful way.

COURSE OFFERINGS

Architectural Design

PURSUING AN ARTS CAREER

Many Cushing graduates matriculate to prestigious art schools and enjoy professional careers in the arts. Below is a list of colleges and universities attended by recent art department alumni:

Boston Architectural College

Boston University

Carnegie Mellon University

The New School/Parsons School of Design

Northeastern University

Massachusetts College of Art

Pratt Institute

Rhode Island School of Design

Ringling College of Art + Design

Savannah College of Art + Design

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

School of Visual Arts

Skidmore College

Stanford University

Syracuse University

Tufts University

Tulane University

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Davis

University of California, San Diego

Wentworth Institute of Technology

MISSION STATEMENT

Cushing Academy exists for students and develops curious, creative, and confident learners and leaders.

RAKU FIRING PROCESS

The ceramic dragons on the cover and on these pages were fired using the Raku firing process. The pieces are heated to 1900°F and then removed from the kiln and placed in a reduction chamber filled with combustible materials that immediately catch fire and consume all of the oxygen in the chamber. The lack of oxygen allows the formation of shiny metallic surfaces and a variety of colors and textures. After they cool, the surfaces are scrubbed clean to reveal the myriad colors and textures unique to the Raku process.

Dominick Clark ’25

Emilie Domit Moiño ‘27