Now in its third year, the Vashon-CAM partnership embarks on another year of art-making. This past fall, painter Luisa Otero Prada guided the classes through a survey of masks from cultures all over the world as well as the variety of media, materials, and methods used to create them. In the end, the students designed and fabricated their own masks, based on their studies and self-explorations. During the second quarter, students worked with interdisciplinary artist Esther Neff. With a focus on fiber art, Neff shared her knowledge of stitching, quilting, and embroidery. Students acquired an arsenal of sewing and embellishment techniques as they created patches, decorated clothing, designed jewelry, and collaborated on a class tapestry—selections of which will be on display.

ArtReach: Vashon High School is organized for the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis by Miriam Ruiz, School and Community Programs Manager.