For the last 13 years Tom Nolet, a teacher at Roosevelt High School, has been promoting student voices. To that end, he created and maintains the Roosevelt Art Show.
Nolet's inspiration for the project was rooted in his belief that students needed a venue for their unique talents outside of school: "I felt like there was a need for students to express themselves...not only as they can in this [school] institution."
Creative outlets
Nolet has worked with the Sunlight Café since 1992 and has been pleased with the results. This May, the café, 6403 Roosevelt Way N.E., will exhibit student art work.
Nolet is particularly grateful for the café's enthusiasm for the project. "They've been fantastic in willingness, time, materials," he said.
The University of Washington's Henry Art Gallery has become involved in the show, as well. As a partner of Roosevelt High School for nearly 10 years, the Henry has hosted many student works.
Nolet said the art show's relationship with the Henry is "very educational" and is extremely pleased with the opportunity that it has given young artists.
Nolet also has put together other creative outlets for students, such as Roosevelt's widely successful open mics. During an open mic, his classroom is transformed into a café-like setting, complete with sofas and a Wurlitzer piano.
The lights are dimmed, and students are encouraged to share their poetry, songs and dramatic interpretations. Nolet himself often shares songs with students.
Self-expression
Nolet is known for his open-door policy, in that he welcomes all forms of expression. Some may be concerned about inappropriate content at the art show, but he discounts that assumption.
"Kids aren't out to express unsavory things. I think they deem their art as important," Nolet said.
He stresses that while he is opposed to censorship of any kind, he feels that a sense of ethics needs to be maintained. The most controversial piece he has ever come across was a depiction of someone sitting on a toilet.
The only art he has had to reject for reasons other than lack of space, he said, were either nudes or out-of-season works, such as those with Christmas trees or Halloween-themed pieces.
Julia Siegl is a junior at Roosevelt High School.[[In-content Ad]]
