Last Thursday, the Visual Arts Program held its annual 5×7 Show, a fundraiser that celebrates the creativity and talent of McCallum’s visual arts students. This event features student-created artwork, all in a 5×7-inch format. Each piece is available for purchase, with all proceeds directly supporting the program.

All students in visual arts classes are required to create one piece of artwork per class to contribute to the fundraiser. The 5×7 Show features an variety of art, both on display and available for purchase, showcasing the diverse talents of students. The exhibit includes pieces in a variety of mediums, such as printmaking, ceramics, painting, drawing and jewelry.

The show not only highlights the artistic achievements of the students but also offers them valuable real-world experience in showcasing and selling their work. Attendees of the 5×7 fundraiser have the opportunity to acquire one-of-a-kind pieces while simultaneously contributing to the Fine Arts Academy at McCallum.

We are proud to highlight the Visual Arts’ 5×7 Showcase as this week’s Tuesday Top 10.

ONE WORD, SOAR: Freshman Veronica Puga (right) puts a bracelet back on the wall for display while she and her mom Ella Puga (left) view all the pieces in the 5×7 art show last Thursday. Puga, a visual arts major, had one piece in the show, an acrylic painting of a paper airplane with a cape on it containing various marks of achievements and medals and prizes. Her inspiration came from a one-word prompt—“soar”—which all the students modeled their pieces after. Puga chose to turn hers into an acrylic painting.

“It’s based on the one-word prompt of soaring, like soaring through the sky but also soaring high like doing well in life,” Puga said. “I wanted to do more than just something in the sky, and I remember hearing sayings about when you’re soaring high, you’re in a successful part of your life, so I wanted to represent both aspects.”

Every student in a visual arts class made at least one piece for the showcase. Puga’s class, Design 1 for freshman visual arts majors, made two 5×7 pieces, and they were then able to select which one they wanted to display in the show. While the one-word prompt had to inspire the piece, it could be made of any medium as long as it was 2D, and Puga recalls that other classes made bracelets and ceramic ornaments as well.

“It was really cool to see all the different pieces from all the different art classes because of how varied all the concepts were,” Puga said. “There were some that were more fantastical while others were very photorealistic or more like a still life.”

Overall, Puga enjoyed the show and having her work displayed which was something that was new to her.

“I also liked seeing all the 3D pieces, especially the jewelry, because a lot of it was pretty detailed,” Puga said. “I’ve never had my art displayed in art shows, so it was pretty exciting to see it in an official event.”

Caption by Priya Thoppil. Photo by Adele Seeboth.

APPRECIATING ART: Artworks hang in the MAC for 5×7 show last Thursday. Students from all art classes created either 2D or 3D works to be displayed and put up for sale. Every year, students bring friends and family to enjoy the provided snacks, works of art and to talk to their friends. This is one of the visual arts department’s biggest fundraisers, and each piece sold for $20. All of the art teachers, including seniors from Art Society, were present to help parents or kids with anything they might have needed. Once an artwork was purchased off the walls or folding displays, facilitators would replace it with another one. This year, bracelets from the new jewelry class were hung up alongside 5×7 prints, paintings and drawings.

Sophomore and visual arts major Elena Casares chose to make a charcoal drawing for the show as part of her Drawing 1 class curriculum.

“I drew Alice Roquemore with a goat, and the photo is so funny because I took it on a trip we went on together, and she posed with the goat so I had to get a picture,” Casares said. “It was the perfect thing to draw, I love charcoal so much, and it makes the details really fun to work out. You have to build up the layers and make sure you don’t overdo it.”

Casares said she enjoys her drawing class, and since last year she has noticed improvement in her art. During the show,  she said she especially loved looking at the keychains and bracelets that weren’t a part of the 2023 show.

“The best part is looking for the art that you recognize, from your friends who take art, and then watching it be bought,” Casares said. “I like to think about the piece once it goes home with somebody, and I hope that it gets put on a wall.”

Caption by Carlo Hinsdale. Photo by Wren Vanderford.

MUSING WITH THE MUSE: Art teacher Natalie Pantuso, alongside sophomores Maggie Petersen and Camilla Miculek, admire art at Thursday’s 5×7 showcase. Because the show is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the art department, upper-level students were assigned to assemble any artwork of their choice on a 5×7 frame. They were put up for sale in the MAC, with all proceeds going towards the art boosters who help to fund masterclasses, scholarships and departmental expenses for the program.

Pantuso, whose Art 1 students produced works for the showcase, emphasized the freedom afforded to her artists during the creative process.

“They can use any medium or materials; all of the ideas and imagery is original and unique to that student,” Pantuso said. “Originality is important to us at McCallum, so we don’t let students, for example, copy what they see online or on Pinterest.”

Although Pantuso wasn’t around for the fundraiser’s inception, she imagined the artwork’s small format enabled a tighter schedule, as well as less time for students to get too attached to their work.

“We are asking them to give up something they’ve created, which is hard to do, if you’ve spent a lot of time on something,” Pantuso said.

Overall, Pantuso felt the showcase was successful.

“It seemed like a packed house,” Pantuso said. “Compared to last year, it seemed like we had about the same crowd. I would say it was a good turnout.”

Caption by Noah Braun. Photo by Adele Seeboth.

“INTERWOVEN WORLDS”: Junior Mira Patel’s piece, “Interwoven Worlds” hangs on display in the 5×7 art show.  Patel used fabric, interfacing, oil paint and thread to make this blend of painting and tapestry, and this piece is a portrait of her grandfather and his sister-in-law circa 1985.

Patel explained that it’s about the juxtaposition of cultures as her grandfather went home to visit his family after living in America for more than 15 years.

“Throughout this piece, I wanted to convey the connection to the motherland while also depicting the changes that come with immigration,” Patel said.

This was Patel’s third piece for her AP 2D portfolio, and in this piece, she incorporated new skills.

“I do a lot of mixed media, so in my AP portfolio I’m trying to do new mediums where I mixed mediums like fabric paint and thread,” Patel said. “I had to use my sewing machine really heavily for this one [piece], so that was really interesting because I’ve never used a sewing machine on a painting.”

While some find it challenging to let go of their pieces, Patel believes that it is worth it for the good of funding for the visual arts program.

“The 5×7 show is a really great way to make money for the visual arts program at McCallum,” Patel said. “It’s really nice because it’s built into our classes, and they’re smaller pieces, so they are easier to complete. I think a lot of people struggle with letting go of their piece for the 5×7 show, but it goes to a good cause. It’s really important that we have funding every year for the visual arts for new brushes, supplies, clay, and other materials.”

Caption by Shila Gill. Photo by Lilah Lavigne.

THREADS AND BEADS: During the Visual Arts 5×7 show, the jewelry-making class students were able to make their ideas a reality and had the opportunity to sell their artwork and jewelry. Bracelets were made with a variety of different beads and threading materials. One artist, senior Christina Petropoulos, created a floral design with her bracelet.

“I wanted to make my piece like a flower crown but as a bracelet,” Petropoulos said. “This year I decided to branch out and try the new jewelry class, and I’ve enjoyed it so far. It lets me try new techniques and skills to make cool pieces. For this piece, I used a needle thread and different beads to create my bracelet. I wanted to make intricate small flowers to represent the beauty of small things. I added the pearls to add value to the flowers and make it a more detailed piece.”

As a senior, Petropoulos has been involved in the art program at McCallum all four years.

“My McCallum art experience has been great,” Petropoulos said. “The teachers are very inclusive and creative, teaching you to make the best pieces. As I went through these classes, I was able to teach myself new ways to create and innovate. My favorite art piece from last year was probably this set of ceramic pieces that were made with red clay and a pretty blue glaze with carvings in it.”

As Petropoulos has gone through the Fine Arts Academy, she has built an appreciation for every art form it has to offer.

“McCallum and fine arts go really well together,” Petropoulos said. “It’s a very amazing place to not only learn and create but have fun and express yourself through art.”

Caption and photo by Wren Vanderford.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL: Junior Elton Gilbert’s print of an insect hangs on the right for the 5×7 art show. Gilbert created several other pieces for the show and has participated in it for the past three years.

“Art students get assigned a project to make pieces that are 5×7 to contribute to the show,” Gilbert said. “I prepared by making two paintings for my painting class, ordainments in ceramics, and two different prints for my printmaking class.”

Gilbert’s idea behind the piece was to create a print that focused on unnoticed details. The process behind creating the print can be very tedious, and it took Gilbert four days to finish the print.

“My idea behind it was to show the intricate details of insects which can often be missed because they’re so small,” Gilbert said. “It is a 5×7 two-color linoleum block print. The process is to carve out each color layer and then print a new color onto the print, this process is called a reductive print. So I carved out the white areas, printed a layer then carved out the orange layer and printed the black. The process is pretty tedious from lining up the prints on top of each other to carving small intricate details.”

Caption by Evelyn Jenkins. Photo by Wren Vanderford.

CREATIVE FREEDOM: Junior Isla Poole’s ceramics piece, “Decomposition,” is featured in the Fine Arts Academy 5×7 showcase. The annual art exhibit showcased art majors’ pieces made specifically for the fundraiser, and pieces were displayed to show off students’ artwork to the people attending. Poole had a few pieces up for sale, but the highlight of the show for her was being able to see her many hours of work on display.

“My favorite part of this project is when I took it home and got to work on it at my own pace even though it was really late at night because there wasn’t the pressure of having to clean up at a certain time,” Poole said. “It was also my favorite because that was when I was adding the sculptural elements, so I had a lot of creative freedom, unlike the construction part of it, which was pretty technical.”

According to Poole, her time at McCallum so far has been a huge continuation of her artistic abilities.

“I wasn’t in the design classes because I became an art major as a sophomore, but I think having the opportunity to take three or four classes a year helped because it’s pretty much half my schedule just doing art,” Poole said. “I’ve learned a lot of techniques, and before high school, I had never even touched clay or a throwing wheel.”

The inspiration for this piece comes from the idea that when humanity falls, plants will overtake the earth, causing the piece to be covered in vines, and also incorporates carved-out portions with ribs showing through, representing the mortality of humans versus the resilience of nature.

“I like seeing beauty in the natural world and how we can get distracted by the man-made side of things,” Poole said. “But also how we ignore how vital and lively natural things are.”

Caption by Sophia Manos. Photo by Lilah Lavigne.

SMALL ART, BIG IMPACT: Divya Patel admires artwork on display in the 5×7 show. Patel’s daughter, junior Mira Patel, has had artwork featured in the 5×7 show every year that she has attended McCallum.

“I love seeing her work, but I also enjoy exploring the incredible creativity of the other students,” Patel said. “It’s truly inspiring to witness the immense talent on display.”

The 5×7 show has become a highlight for Patel and her family, not only because it celebrates the artistic achievements of her daughter and her peers but also because it serves a greater purpose.

“The 5×7 show not only gives students a chance to showcase and sell their work, but it also supports a wonderful cause,” Patel said. “The proceeds go directly toward funding visual arts programs, ensuring students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.”

By transforming student creativity into funding for the arts, the 5×7 show is more than an exhibition—it shows the power of community. Each piece sold plays a part in enriching McCallum’s visual arts programs.

“The show creates a full-circle experience,” Patel said. “Students get to see their work valued in the community while contributing to something that will benefit their school and future artists. It’s a proud moment for everyone involved.”

Overall, The 5×7 show offers students a platform to shine and feel the pride of making an impact. For attendees, it’s an opportunity to take home a unique piece of art while directly supporting McCallum’s visual arts programs.

Caption by Mira Patel. Photo by Lilah Lavigne.

ORBIT OF ART: Sophomore Zanna Allen joins many of her peers at Thursday’s 5×7 art show to look at an assortment of artwork from every art class. Allen had a great experience, getting to view her friend’s artworks, her own and many she had never seen before.

“It was really amazing to see so many people come to support student artwork,” said Allen.

Allen’s favorite aspect of the gallery was getting to see everyone’s artwork.

“They were all really incredible, and I love getting to see what everyone else is up to in their art classes,” Allen said.

There were so many Allen considered buying, but one stood out the most.

“I ended up getting a super cute print of a mouse on a circus ball,” Allen said. “I’m not totally sure who made it, but I really admire their art skills.”

Two of Allen’s linoleum prints were featured in the show.

“The prints were of a radish, and most of the ones I put out were on watercolor,” said Allen.

Another one of Allen’s artworks that was on display was a painting.

“This one’s prompt was ‘orbit,’ so I thought of Orbit gum and how swallowing gum stays in your stomach for a while,” Allen said. “So the piece is a pack of Orbit gum in someone’s stomach.”

Caption by Tallulah McAuliffe. Photo by Mercury Estabrook.

WALLS NEVER EMPTY: Senior Alexandra Kimball hangs up artwork to replace the pieces taken down for purchase during the 5×7 fundraiser on Thursday. As a senior member of the Art Society, Kimball was eligible to volunteer to help with the showcase, and she said she signed up as soon as she could.

“I’ve always loved the 5×7 Show because of all the different art I get to see,” Kimball said. “So volunteering was the perfect way for me to participate.”

Kimball said that her role in the show went well as the evening progressed.

“We wanted the walls to always be full,” she said. “I was able to keep art on the walls all night and have great conversations with many people.”

Being a visual arts major, Kimball was required to submit two works to the 5×7 fundraiser.

“This year I did a painting and a print,” Kimball said. “They both sold.”

Kimball said she loves the art community at McCallum.

“My freshman year, all of the freshman art majors during first and second period were together in the art rooms,” Kimball said. “So we were able to build a good community early on. Everyone helps each other out, and we have all been able to inspire each other.”

Aside from a tight-knit group of artists, the Visual Arts Program is home to many different mediums for students like Kimball to explore.

“I’ve been able to learn tons of things and experiment more in my art,” Kimball said.

Caption by Camilla Vandegrift. Photo by Mercury Estabrook.

DESIGN DISPLAY: The McCallum Art Department displays various 5×7 artworks produced from the art classes last week on Thursday. Many art majors enjoyed attending this fundraiser, including sophomores Toby Altuna and Zanna Allen.

“It’s really cool to get to see all the talent McCallum brings,” Altuna said.

Not only does the talent get recognized, but the support that participants bring is greatly appreciated by the Art Society.

“We love to see people supporting other people’s art and buying and funding McCallum,” Allen said.

Lots of the money collected by the Art Society goes to fund the art program, which aides purchases of new supplies and strengthens the organization.

Caption and photo by Lilah Lavigne.

UNDER PRESSURE: Freshman Eli Gold explained that his 5×7 submission is connected to personal experiences in his own life. “My painting represents like teenage pressure and not being understood by adult figures,” Gold said. Caption and photo by Mercury Estabrook.