Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin

January 17, 2013 by Staff Report

Cleveland Clinic eXpressions

Eight Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin students received recognition from The Cleveland Clinic eXpressions Art Program for their interpretation of research conducted by their peers last summer.

“As a department we saw that by participating in the eXpressions competition, we could challenge and spark the art students’ creativity in a new and refreshing way,” said Mary Ann Sedivy, visual arts department chair. “We also viewed this as an opportunity for growth for the department as a whole.”

In preparation for the competition, art students viewed presentations by and then interviewed the eight NDCL students who spent the summer in various research internships at the Cleveland Clinic. According to its website, eXpressions is “an interdisciplinary program that utilizes art to engage high school students in the world of scientific research. Through project-based, peer-to-peer learning, students produce artistic interpretations of research conducted by Cleveland Clinic summer interns.”

Awarded blue ribbons by in the program were senior Kelly Nieser and junior Alexandra Graham. Red ribbon awards were garnered by junior Allison Perpar and freshman Amanda Spangler. White ribbons were awarded to senior Michael Mandac and junior Jack Hyland. Seniors DeAydra Duke and Perry Yert received honorable mentions.

Principal Joseph Waler said he is especially proud of the students’ showing given that this is the first year the school has participated in the innovative program.

“Expressing medical research artistically is a far different creative challenge than sketching a portrait or painting a landscape, but our student artists and their teachers were willing to take that risk,” Waler said. “I particularly like the way their artwork helps us see the hidden beauty and meaning in science and medicine.”

Sedivy said she was proud of how the students took inspiration from such an unusual source.

“When faced with research topics that are analytical and factual, the students were able to put a creative spin on the topics. Student responses were unique and innovative in that they moved beyond a literal translation of the research,” Sedivy added.

All award-winning artwork will be displayed in the 2012 exPressions Art and Language eXhibition, which will open with a formal reception and dedication next month. The award-winning artists will receive gift cards, and their teachers will be awarded educational grants from the Cleveland Clinic.