In the hallway between Mattison Auditorium and the Dining Hall, a beautiful Advanced Studies Art Show catches the eyes of any passersby. Ms. Lynch, a devoted art teacher at Kent, speaks about the exhibit and the effort her students put into it.

With pride, she explains that the Advanced Studies Diploma in Art is comparable to the AP Art and Design, but better. To obtain this diploma–the highest recognition an artist could receive at Kent–students are “empowered to cultivate a vision for the body of work” across a time period spanning from one term to as long as two years. 

Ms. Lynch says that working with dedicated artists is “what [she] love[s] more than anything,” and she encourages talented students to pursue art to the greatest possible degree. Ms. Lynch sees herself as analogous to a sherpa in Nepal, bringing students to the highest level using her professional knowledge. Throughout the year, art teachers’ role is to be “very, very supportive,” testing the artistic limits of a student by maintaining “constant dialogue” with them. She immensely values the “individualized experience” for each artist, considering it a privilege to have so many interested art pupils at Kent.

The 87 pieces on display in the AS art show are only a fraction of the hard work that students put into their art careers at Kent. They are the best representation of their effort for the whole school to admire.

While students may freely enjoy the exhibit, the Art Department reminds spectators to recognize the fragility of the pieces on display, since a simple turning of a backpack could cause irreversible damage. Especially because the Mattison hallway cannot be locked, students have to demonstrate care and integrity while viewing the show, being mindful of their behavior and actively protecting the art.