By LILY CRAMER
It was a snowy day in New York City when Bellefonte High art students arrived to the city on this year’s December Art Trip.
A group of 45 students in Art Club, art classes, or a combination of both traveled to view graffiti and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Not only did they see incredible art, they also saw the city dressed up in holiday decorations.
The group arrived in New York around 10 a.m. and left at 7 p.m. In the first part of their trip, they took a tour of the graffiti of New York City, led by a guide. Every student was met with a variety of colors and patterns on the walls as they walked by. There, they learned about the different terms of graffiti culture, including “tagging,” the name for the artist’s signature, and “throw ups,” the bubble letters often seen on the streets.
Art teacher Mrs. Heather McClure reflects on what the students learned here.
“The Graffiti Art was pretty impressive. It was exciting to learn about material use for general works and for 3D effects, graffiti styles, how the commissions worked, time the artists put into their murals, and all the vocabulary within that art culture,” Mrs. McClure said.
One of the students who went on this trip, senior Morgan Frazier, mentions the learning experience the tour offered.
“It opened my appreciation for street art and was very informative overall,” Morgen said.
The group scattered for lunch, then reconnected for a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge allowed them a wide view of the bustling city.
While on this trip, the students were met with many opportunities to experience different types of art. However, the group was unable to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art, due to unforeseen circumstances.
Along with the art tours, students gained many more memories of the popular city. After dinner, a variety of students went to shop in the many stores nearby, or stopped at a local park. Some of them visited a Christmas tree square, or even a holiday village. Between the snow and the decorations, New York City was in a festive mood when they visited the city.
One art student, senior Zoey Steiner, liked having a moment to explore New York City on her own.
“I really enjoyed the free time we had to be able to choose where we wanted to go. I spent most of that time in Bryant Park,” Zoey said.
During the holiday season, Bryant Park sets up a winter village including shops and an ice skating rink. There, she got to see huge, colorful trees lighting up the ice skating rink below.
Mrs. McClure notes the impact that taking this trips with her students made on her..
“I enjoyed spending time with my students in another environment! It’s always interesting to see them in another context outside the classroom,” Mrs. McClure said.
When the students departed, they were left with new memories of the artistic streets of New York City.
“New York was a great opportunity for many [students]. We had a great time and got to see some great stuff.”
