ARTS

| 11 EskellWright & wave goodbye to Staples ARTS

Just a step from the school’s entrance or a short walk from the cafe are the unmistakable walls of the art department showcasing an eclectic blend of student works, informative decorations and promotional posters. These halls house a family of seven art teachers, but now two long-standing art education teachers are waving goodbye: art teacher Tracy Wright and drawing teacher Camille Eskell.

Lilly Weisz ’23 Creative Director

right describes herself

Was a “low-key” person, but her presence resonates throughout the art department. She truly is a teacher for all art, taking on classes across the board from Watercolor and Painting Big, to Ceramics and Jewelry-Making.

Despite the diffi culty of teaching various mediums throughout the day, during her 14 years at Staples, Wright has carried on with her quiet, steady skill. When there were more sections of Graphic Design I than teachers, she stepped up to the plate to take on the job. Wright learned the material in the graphic design class taught by her coworker, Carla Eichler, the day before, planned her lesson at night and came into school ready to teach her students the next day.

“She just [has] a can-do type of attitude with everything,” Staples Coordinator of Music and Visual Arts Steve Zimmerman said. “That’s a huge thing when you’re trying to reach every child and every student who comes through here.”

Wright brings this same energy to her students, working to provide the resources her students need to fulfi ll their creative visions. “She allows me to have a lot of creative freedom,” Zoe Finger ’23, a student of Wright’s, said. “She lets me try out some new techniques as well as work with techniques that I don’t usually use, and it has helped me grow as an artist.” Zimmerman says it will be hard to replace Wright, not only for her fl exibility and her widespread presence through the art department, but for her warm and adventurous personality. “I wish everyone in the Staples community the very best,” Wright wrote, “and I will miss being a part of it!” skell has taught at Staples

Efor 21 years: one of the fi rst two art teachers to move into the new art wing built, she has had the unique opportunity to teach her students from freshman to senior year, watching them grow as artists and people.

“I see them really blossom from, I call them bubble heads, from Drawing I,” Eskell said with a laugh, referring to the circular heads many new artists draw when sketching people, “to incredible drawings in junior and senior year.”

Over her time at Staples, Eskell developed the drawing program from an introductory and advanced drawing course to include Honors and

AP Drawing. Her students appreciate how Eskell’s unique character colors each class. “I think she’s very iconic,” Sophie Fridland ’22, a current AP Drawing student, said. “Everyone that has recently graduated Staples “She just [has] a and that have even graduatcan-do type of ed college, they attitude with everything,” know who she is if they’ve taken drawing, and -Steve Zimmerman they always have Staples Coordinator of Music and good things to say about her.” Visual Arts Staples Coordinator of Music and Visual Arts Steve Zimmerman observed how Eskell keeps her curricula from going stale despite teaching for longer than her students have been alive, and how her personal brand of humor can lighten stressful situations. “The students always do extremely well coming out of her class,” Zimmerman said. “I think it’s a testament to the fact that she sees every student as a capable artist.” Once she retires, Eskell anticipates the increase in free time she’ll have for her own personal art, such as a series of pieces exploring her cultural backgrounds as an Iraqi Jew from India. However, Eskell will miss the warm environment of the art room she’s taught in for two decades. “The interaction with the FOND FAREWELL Art teachers Tracy Wright (left ) and students, that’s probably the Camille Eskell (right) will be reti ring aft er years of leading most important thing,” Eskell several art classes, including Graphic Design, Drawing, said, “because that’s what we Jewelry and many others. [art teachers] really are here for.”

“The students always do extremely well coming out of her class,” -Steve Zimmerman Staples Coordinator of Music and Visual Arts PhotobyLillyW ei sz ’ 23

12 |ARTS SUM MER

style

Mia Bomback ’25 News Editor

As temperatures rise and students grow restless, one thing is made clear—it is nally time we bid adieu to our pu er coats and Ugg boots. It is time to embrace our summer style. Whether beach-bound or poolside, dress to impress with the help of some of Westport’s trendiest retailers.

Elevate any out t with a classy gold chain. Youthful yet sophisticated, gold jewlery is the perfect accessory. For a sleek look, layer your necklaces and pair them with a set of rings and a statement bracelet.

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1) Nylon Woven Shoulder Bag - Urban Out ters - $49 2) Gourmand Eau De Parfum Fragrance - Urban Out ters -$18

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Photos by Mia Bomback ’25 & Talia Varsano ’24

Classy, timeless and sophisticated. Gold hoops are the Classy, timeless and sophisticated. Gold hoops are the perfect accessory no matter the season. “Gold hoop earperfect accessory no matter the season. “Gold hoop earrings can compliment an outfi t really well and they are aprings can compliment an outfi t really well and they are appropriate for any occasion,” Dagny Dahl ’24 said. These propriate for any occasion,” Dagny Dahl ’24 said. These hoops, from Middlemarch, are mature, stylish and durable. hoops, from Middlemarch, are mature, stylish and durable.

is summer tank top is sleek, chic and casual. It can easily be dressed up or down for any occasion. Expect to see a lot of this gorgeous orange color as the weather gets warmer. “While [Channel orange] has been relevant for a few seasons,” Assistant Marketing Editor Yusra Siddiqui said for Who What Wear, “it is not shock[ing] that it’s turned up again for 2022.”

Easy on the Slides - Bobbles and Lace - $44

is season, bring your out ts to new heights. Literally. Platform sandals are stylish, comfortable and they compliment any out t. “ is comfort-meets-style [trend] gives some serious extra height—with a [fashionable] twist,” explains freelance fashion editor Lauren Caruso, who writes for Harper’s Bazaar.

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