High School Artists Invited to Showcase Work at Briar Cliff Critique Day

Area high school students’ artwork is on display at the Clausen Art gallery in preparation for a High School Art Critique Day.

Briar Cliff University will host a High School Art Critique Day from 8:30 a.m. to noon March 13, welcoming about 60 high school students interested in art for a morning of learning, discussion and artistic feedback. The event will give mostly junior and senior high school students the chance to display their artwork and participate in a college-level critique session led by Briar Cliff faculty and students.

According to assistant art professor Thomas Wharton, the event is designed to introduce young artists to how artwork is analyzed and discussed in a collegiate environment. “In high school, they’re often just meeting curriculum structures,” Wharton said. “They’re not always getting really critical feedback about how the work functions visually or how an audience interprets it.”

During the event, students will be divided into groups and guided through the critique process. Faculty and art education students will lead discussions focusing on artistic elements such as rhythm, movement and how a viewer’s eye travels through a piece of artwork.

Wharton said the experience helps students understand how their work is received by others and encourages them to think more critically about their artistic decisions. “My philosophy is that you’re not really an artist unless you exhibit your work,” Wharton said. “When you put your work out into the world, it’s going to be judged. Learning how to talk about that judgment and improve from it is part of being an artist.”

The event also allows the university to strengthen relationships with local schools and the regional arts community. “We need to build relationships with our community,” Wharton said. “We want teachers and students to see what our program looks like and know that we’re here as a resource.”

Holly McManigal, adjunct professor of art and head art teacher for the Sioux City Community School District, said learning how to give and receive critique is an important skill for developing artists. “Constructive critique helps artists see their work from new perspectives,” McManigal said. “It allows them to recognize their strengths and identify areas for improvement.”

McManigal said the event also helps students who are considering studying art in college by giving them firsthand exposure to the collegiate art environment. “Students get to interact with faculty, experience the critique process and see their work displayed in a collegiate setting,” McManigal said. “That experience can inspire them and help them feel more confident about pursuing art in higher education.”

In addition to receiving feedback on their work, students will also learn about creative career paths and academic opportunities available at Briar Cliff. Organizers hope the event will help young artists develop their skills while also encouraging them to explore future opportunities in the arts.