Orrick High School students visited the Capitol in Jefferson City and four students’ artwork was displayed at the Youth Art Month Exhibition for the opening ceremony. Orrick art teacher Cassie Smith said she was proud of the hard work of her students, senior Chloee Hachman, sophomore Hannah Adams, sophomore Gunner Smith and junior Julia Sayegh.

Smith earned her bachelor’s and masters from the University of Central Missouri. Having been with the school district for 18 years, Smith has taught art for the last four years and has been in the school district for 18 years.

“I think the best part of being a teacher is seeing students realize that they are capable of achieving,” mentioned Smith. “As an art teacher specifically, it’s seeing them work with an idea from the beginning of an idea to the final creation of their artwork.”

An artist herself, Smith placed second in the photography division at the Missouri Art Education Association (MAEA) Member Exhibit last year.

“I love photography, but my favorite mediums to work with are clay and painting,” Smith said.

Annually, the MAEA sponsors the Youth Art Month Student Exhibit for K-12 art educators who are members.

“As an MAEA member, I can submit up to four students’ works of their choosing for the statewide exhibit in the capitol,” said the art teacher. “The works of art selected this year are from students in my Studio Art and Painting classes. Their artwork showed exceptional skill and creativeness.”

Chloee said she believed everyone would enjoy the exhibit, even if they weren’t interested in art.

“My favorite part of the trip was to see others’ artwork. It gave me a lot more ideas for new things I can create,” said Chloee.

Hannah and Gunner agreed with their peer and said they liked the murals inside the capitol alongside having their work displayed.

“I brought a mixed media piece. It was an altered self-portrait. The torso was a skeleton and the face had detailed features,” said Hannah, explaining her entry was inspired by her career goal, medicine.

Gunner’s piece was a blue, monochromatic portrait.

“His self-portrait captured his personality so well,” commented Smith.

The student artists confirmed they would love to do this event again in the future. During the trip, the students were able to listen to Secretary of State Jay Nixon and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe about the importance of art in Missouri in the past, present and future.

Each school, teacher and student were recognized on stage.

“We got to greet and take pictures with them both, along with the MAEA President Kim Powell and YAM Chairperson Erin Price,” said Smith. “It was great to be able to see and discuss their peers’ work and to help them see they are just as much of an artist as anyone else.”