EPHS Eagles featured in Minneapolis Institute of Art exhibit

On March 14, a new exhibit featuring 35 student artists opened at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA). The middle and high schoolers had been selected as finalists in the first Hennepin County student art contest held in partnership with MIA. Titled “Belonging Begins Here: Our Stories, Our County, and Our Pride,” the exhibit includes paintings, drawings, sculptures and more that explore the theme of belonging through personal experience. It also showcases the art of Eden Prairie Eagles.

Ninth grader McKinley Ulfers, tenth graders Catelin Barnwell and Izabell Chavez, and 11th grader Nadia Guidarini were all selected to exhibit their artwork. Nadia Guidarini’s piece, “Mussel Memory,” was a large yet delicate sculpture of a freshwater mussel she’d made in a ceramics class. Inspired by her time growing up collecting mussels with her sister in the lake by their house, Nadia focused on the connection between belonging and place. “I was actually pretty proud of myself,” she said with a smile, remembering how challenging it had been to create the ridges on the mussel.

Izabell submitted a piece of art she’d created outside of class. “I saw the theme and I knew I wanted to include something that people don’t see in museums every day,” she said. In her painting, a girl stands with her back to the viewer. She has long hair braided with red ribbons and she’s carrying a doll and a bouquet of white flowers. A Mexican flag is draped over her shoulders and orange and black butterflies flit around the deep blue background. It was a painting intended to show appreciation for her heritage, Izabell explained. “I was so excited [to be featured],” she said. “My family was so proud of me. I’m really glad my teacher gave me the opportunity.”

EPHS art teacher Verónica Torres-Jansen recommended the contest to each of her classes as soon as she learned about the collaborative contest between Hennepin County and MIA. “I was wowed by how many students had their work in the show,” she said. While she’d offered support for Eagles throughout the application process, even taking professional photos of the artwork, Torres-Jansen gave all the credit to her students. “My goal as a teacher is presenting students with opportunities.” She hopes the collaboration will continue so she can keep encouraging students to have their work featured in this way.

Ultimately, regardless of what the anonymous judges thought of the Eagles’ art, Torres-Jansen kept the focus on the value of making things. “I have so much faith in all my students and their creativity,” she said. “It’s about sharing your work with community.”

Visit MIA to see “Belonging Begins Here,” a free exhibition now on display through April 26.