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Arts Department

EHS ADVANCES TO THE METG FINALS
Click HERE for Story and Photos
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Three paintings by an EHS student
 
EHS Senior Earns a Full Scholarship to the Pratt Institute
Congratulations to Everett High School (EHS) senior Na'Tayeja Robinson for earning a full merit-based scholarship to the Pratt Institute, one of the top art colleges in the nation. Pratt has a distinguished history that dates to 1887 and offers nearly 50 graduate and undergraduate degree programs in art, design, architecture, among many others. Congratulations to Na'Tayeja, as well as her AP Art Teacher, Briana Pierce and her Studio Art II teacher, Josephine Dougan. Pictured above are selections of Na'Tayeja’s artwork.
A person standing on a stage, in front of a large screen, delivering a presentation

Gabby Rivera Presentation

Author Delivers an Inspiring Presentation to EHS Students
Author and artist Gabby Rivera visited Everett High School on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, to give a special presentation to art, ELA, and EL students, which included highlights from her career journey as a writer and the story behind her debut novel, "Juliet Takes A Breath." In addition, Gabby is a writer for Marvel Comics. It was a dynamic presentation focusing on identity, inspiration, and the power of storytelling. Following the presentation, Gabby answered questions and autographed books for books for students and staff.
A high school student with a state senator, inside the State House, looking at the student's digital photo
 
Thank You, Senator DiDomenico!
EHS Artist Featured on Beacon Hill
Thanks to State Senator Sal DiDomenico for inviting Everett High senior Joao Pedro Santos, digital art teacher Trice Megginson, and Art Coordinator Cari DiCicco to the State House on Wednesday, January 31st. Senator DiDomenico submitted the winning bid for a digital photo Joao envisioned and created as part of his program of study in Mr. Megginson's Advanced Digital Media course. The image now hangs in the Senator’s office.

Senator DiDomenico took the EPS contingent on an informative tour of the State House, where Joa received compliments on his work from a variety of Beacon Hill professionals.

Thanks, also, to School Committee member Marcony Barros for helping celebrate the occasion with Joao and our educators.
 
A group of people standing and smiling inside the Massachusetts State House

From left: Chloe Chick from Senator DiDomenico's office, EPS Arts Coordinator Cari DiCicco, School Committee member Marcony Barros, Joao Pedro Santos, EHS teacher Trice Megginson, Senator DiDomenico, and Eli Fenechel from Senator DiDomenico's office.



 
Two women standing and smiling

Artist Rixy (right) and K-12 Arts Coordinator Cari DiCicco

Art All Over

Rixy Makes an Appearance at Everett High
Interdisciplinary street artist Rixy delivered a presentation to Everett High School (EHS) students on Friday, December 8, 2023, as part of the EHS Fine and Performing Arts Department Guest Artist Series. 

Rixy, the daughter of EHS Administrative Assistant Rixy Reyes Cardillo, talked about the public works of art she has completed in Greater Boston and around the world. She delved into what inspires her artwork, and discussed how she creates murals using both house and spray paints. She also reviewed the public-art proposal process, inspiring students to pursue their own opportunities.   

EHS students and teachers have viewed and admired Rixy’s murals around Greater Boston, which made this presentation even more meaningful.

 

 

An art professor leading a presentation inside a studio

 

All The News That’s Fit to Print

EHS Students Visit the Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Everett High School art students took a field trip to the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. Mr. Fred. H. C. Liang, Chairperson of the Printmaking Department, led a presentation on lithography, silkscreen, monoprint, etching and more. Students studied examples of these art forms and Mr. Liang led a discussion focusing on the evolution of print throughout art history.  He guided students through their own lithographs using Pronto plates, giving students the chance to see their designs come to fruition directly on the printing press at MassArt.

Click HERE for more photos from the trip to MassArt
 
An artist standing behind a table filled with her artwork, which is made to resemble sea life and coral


Lesley Professor and Noted Artist Visits Everett High

Acclaimed artist and Lesley University Professor Michelle Lougee was a guest lecturer in Everett High School’s Fiber Arts class on Monday, November 20, 2023. Ms. Lougee’s work centers on sustainability and the environment. Specifically, she uses crochet techniques and plastic to create forms representative of sea life and ecosystems. Ms. Lougee inspires students and fiber artists to be resourceful and innovative with their materials and processes.  At Everett High, she showed students how to create their own yarn out of plastic bags. Students used single crochet techniques with their hooks, chaining their "plarn" (plastic yarn) six times, to create their own forms.

 

Click HERE for more photos of Ms. Lougee’s presentation 

Students looking at sculptures at an outdoor art exhibit

 EHS Students Immerse Themselves in Outdoor Art Exhibit 

 
Jewish Arts Collaborative (JArts) Executive Director Laura Mandel led Everett High School students on a lively tour of the outdoor art exhibit, Be The Change, on Friday, November 17, 2023. 

JARTS brought the exhibit to Everett’s Glendale Park through a grant award to Art Lab Everett. Ms. Mandel guided EHS students through the exhibit and helped them analyze and interpret the meanings of the sculptures, which included: "Free To Learn" by Ruth Kathryn Henry, "In Other Eyes" by Wen Hao Tien, "The Power of the Vote" by Dana Woolf, "Wishing Well" by Cicily Carew, and "Transcending Borders" by Julia Czeko. (Many students noted that "Transcending Borders" was their favorite piece.)  Along the way, Ms. Mandel led a meaningful academic discourse with the students, who shared their emotions and the memories the sculptures elicit. It made for a thought-provoking discussion on what was a picturesque fall afternoon.

JArts is a Boston-based organization devoted to connecting people through the power of arts and culture, while Ms. Mandel is an artist, social entrepreneur, and public art advocate. Thanks to JArts and the Everett Art Lab for creating this engaging opportunity for our students.
 

Click HERE for more photos from the Be The Change Exhibit  

A  puppet artist on stage, in the middle of a performance, leaning over to get closer to the students
 
Famous Puppeteer Dazzles Kindergartners
Renowned puppeteer Leigh Baltzer performed for more than 70 kindergarten students at the Whittier School on Thursday, November 16, 2023. Ms. Baltzer performed imaginative and engaging renditions of "Owl Babies,” "Little Blue Truck," and "Caps For Sale,” all featuring a variety of puppets and other visuals. Afterwards, Ms. Baltzer answered questions about the stories and her puppets. She also gave every student coloring pages with images of her puppets to take home. 

Click HERE for more photos of Ms. Baltzer’s performance  

 

A collection of artwork and designs as part of an exhibit, distant view


Ms. Dougan’s Work Featured at Lesley University
Everett High School art educator Josephine Dougan’s work is currently featured in an exhibit at the Roberts Gallery at Lesley University. The exhibition, "Then and Now,” celebrates more than 30 years of printmaking at Lesley Art + Design. The exhibition, which runs through December 17, 2023, highlights the work of 15 selected alumni, including Ms. Dougan. The pieces showcase their previous contributions to Lesley Art + Design’s annual print portfolio, as well as a selection of each artist's current work in various media.
An artist and two staff members and a photo of an artist presenting to students inside a Library
 
Artist’s Journey Stops at EHS
Ray Raja Delivers an Inspirational Presentation
Greater Boston-based artist Ray Raja recently delivered a presentation to Everett High School (EHS) art students about their inspiring personal and professional journey.

Ray immigrated to the US from Pakistan at the age of 16 and quickly discovered a passion for art. Ray discussed their work in fiber arts, animation, sculpture, performance art, and painting. Students immediately recognized Ray's fashion design work, adding to the energy and engagement of the presentation. Following the talk, Ray responded to questions and comments from students about being an artist, entrepreneur, as well as various materials and processes.

Additionally, Ray talked to the EHS students who are enrolled in the Massachusetts College of Art and Design's Saturday Studios Youth Program via scholarships available through a partnership between EHS and the college.

Pictured above (top right) are Art Coordinator Caroline DiCicco, artist Ray Raja, and EHS art teacher Josephine Dougan, who helped two students register for scholarships to the Saturday Studios program.

A female fashion designer, presenting remotely, inside an EHS classrooms


Fiber Optics!

Fashion Designer JMag Presents to EHS Art Students 


Colombian-American Fashion Designer
Nathalia JMag, led a virtual presentation and discussion with EHS art students on Tuesday, October 31st. JMag, who is originally from the Boston area, talked about her work, textiles, sewing and embroidery techniques, and her experience competing on Bravo's Project Runway.  Nathalia's work focuses on sustainability and sustainable textile and design practices, such as using all scraps of fabric from previous designs, and natural fabric dyeing such as using turmeric, onion and more.  Art students learned about Nathalia's journey as an artist and designer, experience in art school and her experience being a young entrepreneur running a small business. Students in Ms. Dougan's Fiber Arts course will apply inspiration and new techniques to their next works.
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three-tile photo of art students, professors, and classrooms
Studio Day at Montserrat!
Montserrat College of Art offered a Studio Day for EHS students on Friday, October 13th. This fantastic opportunity gave our students the chance to work with Professor Mark Hoffman on creating artwork that showcased their knowledge of the rule of thirds, form, value, and narrative. In addition, EHS students toured the campus and met with current Montserrat students to learn about the college’s programs, courses, media, and campus life. Thank you to Monserrat for welcoming our students!
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A guest lecturer at the front of a room, in front of a large screen
A Global Influence
Ms. Nathalie Rigaud, Miss Global Haiti 2023 and a celebrated digital artist, presented to Everett High School digital media classes on September 20th.  Ms. Riguad discussed her artwork and her personal and professional journey. Thanks to the EHS Art Department for planning this engaging event for our students.
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Students and staff inside a theater

 

Theater Students Visit the ART

Everett High School theater students had the chance to attend a special performance of “The Half-God of Rainfall” at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge. The play fuses Greek mythology into a story centering around Demi—half Greek god, half Nigerian mortal whose basketball skills take him all the way to the NBA. Thanks to the EPS Arts Department for planning this exciting field trip for our students.

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Art teachers, standing and working around a large table
 
The Results Are In: PD Day Was a Huge Success
Everett High School Visual Art, Theatre, and Dance teachers visited the Art Lab for a special workshop focusing on printmaking, costume design and bookmaking as part of the district-wide Professional Development Day on Tuesday, September 19th. Meanwhile, Visual Art teachers at the K-8 level attended a workshop led by renowned New England artist and educator Tamar Etingen focusing on stamping techniques.
 
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A Brush With Greatness!
Thanks to Art Lab Everett and local artist Martha Chason Sokol for hosting a professional development session for EPS K-8 art and theater teachers. The participants created sketchbooks, journals, masks, collages, and prints.
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Informal group photo, teachers standing, at a mini golf course

EPS Arts Faculty
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2022-2023 School Year

'Duality' 
The Garage Door Gallery at  Art Lab Everett
Featuring linocuts and charcoal drawings of Everett High School Advanced Art Students
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Community Art Night
 
Group photo, students in yellow t-shirts, holding their arms in the air

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at Everett High and Glendale Park


The event featured artwork by students from throughout the district, art activities for families, performances by the EHS Theatre and Music programs, and young entrepreneur-artists who set up shop in Glendale Park and sold their art! Special thanks to all Everett Public Schools Visual Art Educators; Mr. Gene O'Brien and Mr. Mark Sachetta and students for their wonderful musical performances; and Ms. Britt Mitchell of the Keverian, Ms. Kristin Coffey of the Whittier and Ms. Andrea Dudziak of the Parlin for leading the wonderful theatre performances!   And thanks to Ms. Carolynn Parmenter and the Culinary team for their delicious and artfully curated charcuterie boxes for our guests!   
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EHS Artists Featured at the State House
WATCH: Students Receive a Standing Ovation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives
 
Group photo, students, guests, and elected officials inside the State House fourth-floor gallery
 
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023
Artwork created by a talented group Everett High School students in on display in the fourth floor gallery at the Massachusetts State House, as part of an exhibit entitled, "Inspired Views." The Opening Reception was held on Tuesday, April 25, giving the artists the chance to talk about their work with elected officials, EPS educators, and guests.

The artists are students in Studio Art II. For the exhibit, they created landscapes, cityscapes, and other special places with an emphasis on applying their knowledge of color theory, texture, and mood.   
 
Special thanks to State Senator Sal DiDomenico, who graciously made this a reality for our students. He also led the students on an informative tour of the State House, which culminated in our artists receiving a standing ovation from 160 House members! Superintendent Priya Tahiliani and State Representatives Joseph McGonagle and Dan Ryan also attended the opening.
 
Several state representatives, senators, and State House staff members stopped by the Opening Reception, giving the students the chance enthusiastically discuss their process and inspiration. They were totally in their element! 
 
Finally, special thanks to their dedicated art educators Ms. Briana Pierce and Ms. Josephine Dougan!
 
Participating Artists
Mohit Thapar
Jackelyn Tejada
Nancy Maharjan
Jacqueline Machado
Tiffany Betts-Augustin
Ace Donnelly
Ashley Villeda
Jack Whiting
Alexandra Vogel
Makayla DaSilva
Nicole Sinisterra
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3D Printing: An Art Form
Everett High School sculpture students enjoyed a visit to FormLabs in Somerville, where they enjoyed a tour of the facility and learned about the history, processes and techniques, and real-life applications of 3D printing.

Students viewed various 3D products, including sculptures, fashion, jewelry, and even dental products such as retainers and teeth.  

They interacted with engineers from the company’s dental, manufacturing, and IT departments. The FormLabs professionals answered questions and talked about creative career opportunities. 

In addition, the EHS contingent viewed the work of local jeweler, sculptor, and printmaker Tamar Etingen. Students learned about Tamar's journey as an artist over the last few decades and her metal sculpture processes and techniques. The students especially loved Tamar's earrings which feature three different metals and a riveting technique.
 
Click HERE for Photos of the Field Trip
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THEATER ARTS
 
A dark theater, actors on stge

A Dream Trip for EHS Theater Students
EHS Theatre Co and Acting students attended a special matinee presentation of Boulevard of Bold Dreams at the Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, which features Everett's own Coach Michelle Fenelon!  Boulevard of Bold Dreams is set on the night in 1940 that Hattie McDaniel made history at the Oscars, a story of dreamers striving to overcome considerable obstacles and fighting to recognition amidst racism and inequity in Hollywood. This matinee concluded with an exclusive talk-back discussion with the actors.
 
Students gathered outside a theater
 
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Four tiles, student artwork, paintings and drawings
 
A Great Display of Talent!
A huge congratulations to EHS student Nathalia Catalunia for recently unveiling a solo art exhibition at the Art Lab gallery on Bucknam Street in Everett! 
 
Three-tile photo, student artwork, paintings

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Stdents and educators, standing

A Patron of the Arts!
Superintendent Priya Tahiliani had the pleasure of visiting with EHS Art teachers and the four young artists whose artwork she purchased during the holiday art exhibit. The students shared enthusiastically about their inspiration, artistic process, and plans for the future.  They also shared about their favorite courses at EHS - Studio Art and Sculpture.  The students also shared that their art classes provide a supportive and calming environment.
 
Superintendent Tahiiani and students, at a table

Two-tile photo of student artwork

Some of the artwork that Superintendent Tahiliani purchased
from our incredibly talented EHS students!
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Elisa Hamilton Visits EHS!
Artist Elisa Hamilton visited Everett High School on Thursday, March 2nd to talk to students about her 15-year career as a socially-engaged multimedia artist whose work includes drawings, paintings, installations, sound, design and more.Ms. Hamilton, whose work was featured in a Page 1 story in the February 24th edition of the Boston Globe, spoke to students about her life and work. Students were especially interested in her work "JukeBox", which features 100 stories and histories from community members in Cambridge. She fielded thoughtful questions about the creative process and applying to art school and for grants. After the presentation, students had the chance to bravely share some of their own stories with Ms. Hamilton.The artist is pictured here with EHS students and EPS Art Coordinator Cari DiCicco, who attended MassArt with Ms. Hamilton.

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Digital artwork, colorful, anchored by a girl
EHS Senior Earns 2023 Silver Key Award
EHS Senior Sabrina Santana Hernandez received a Silver Key in this year’s Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for her digital artwork entitled, "POWER!" Sabrina, an avid artist in the EHS Art Department, is currently enrolled in Ms. Josephine Dougan's Studio Art II course.
 
 
 
Hanging in the State House
 
A student and a man, standing in front of a pastel painting inside the State House
 
State Senator Sal DiDomenico won a chalk pastel drawing by EHS junior Sushant Shrestha as part of a drawing the Everett High School Art Department held during this year’s Holiday Gala Concert. The two are pictured above. Additional thanks to the Senator for inviting Sushant and his father, as well as Art Coordinator Caroline DiCicco to his State House office, where the artwork is now proudly displayed.
Four-tile photo, artist visiting EHS, interacting with students and making a presentation

World-renowned artist and Chair of the Printmaking Department at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design,  Fred H. C. Liang visited EHS art students in November of 2022. Mr. Liang gave a presentation on topics ranging from types of printmaking including silkscreen, intaglio, aquatint, and their processes, to the influence of printmaking on our daily lives, as well as various careers in visual art.
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EHS Senior David Rivera Sandoval won a Gold Key in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards this year for his photograph “Revelarme A Mi,” created during Digital Photography II with Mr. Megginson. 
 
Digital art, student reflected in a mirror, draped in a flag


What David Has to Say About His Work

"Many people have no idea what makes up their identity. Nationality is a part of our identities that is easily discovered because it’s something that we are born with. However, nationality is just one thin layer, and it’s our duty to keep looking for the other parts of our identity.  Knowing or having a general idea of personal identity is important because identity is what makes everyone unique, it is what sets us apart from everyone else. Everyone has to be proud of who they are."
 

A dynamic and expressive piece, created during a session focusing on visual thinking.
Everett High School Senior and serious art student Angel Campos recently attended the Mass Art Youth Program's winter Portfolio Development, an in-depth weekend intensive which provides students in grade 9 through 12 with concepts, materials and processes through which they develop the inventive and expressive portions of their artistic portfolio.  This opportunity was made possible through a scholarship, one of several scholarship spots obtained by newly appointed K-12 Art Coordinator Caroline A. DiCicco, as she builds a partnership between EPS and the college.  Pictured below is one of Angel’s works, a dynamic and expressive piece, created during a session focusing on visual thinking.  This spring, Angel will attend an Animation course.
 
 
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Close-cropped informal head shot, Cari DiCicco

ART COORDINATOR

Caroline A. DiCicco
Caroline "Cari"  A. DiCicco is a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Lesley University.   She has been an active visual art educator in the greater Boston area since 2008, and is an avid painter and sculptor.  She has supervised aspiring educators from both Framingham State University, Tufts University and the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and has guest lectured in the Art Education departments of Framingham State and Mass Art.  This past summer, she has completed the MTA and NEA's Teacher Leadership Institute and facilitated professional development surrounding Culturally Responsive Pedagogy.  Cari has spent the last few years teaching visual art at the George Keverian School, as well as leading their well attended Art Club.  She and her students have participated in various art exhibitions at the Malden courthouse, Everett City Hall, as well as murals at Beautification Way and Rivergreen Park during Mayor Carlo DeMaria's Spring Clean Up Day.  
 
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