It’s been six years since the Ojai gallery exhibited at The School Show – an event that displays works solely sourced from the small town’s many high schools. And one of those art pieces displayed, a bird made from hopeful words breaking free from a cage, is the work of an OVS student dedicated to the artistic craft: Ana Sofía Sámano Suarez.
“It wasn’t a big deal. It was a small art show, in an art gallery in Ojai,” Sámano stated humbly. “A few students and teachers from other schools showed their work there. And just me and some of my friends came from OVS to attend it.”
It wasn’t for lack of trying that there weren’t more OVS works in the gallery.
Ms. Hersk offered the opportunity to all of her Advanced Studio Art students, many of whom do produce work worthy of a school gallery, but Sámano was the only one who accepted. According to Ms. Hersk, Sámano is wont to show initiative in the creative process, the kind that allows one the confidence to release their art upon the world.
“She’s very thoughtful in her artistic approach and she works very hard,” Ms. Hersk said.
The Advanced Studio Art class created paper accordions, collages, self-portraits and the like, and Ms. Hersk noted with delight that nothing in Sámano’s projects were completed haphazardly. There always seemed evident a profound passion for crafting things.
However, Sámano herself viewed her own motivation more simply.
“I wasn’t going to submit my work, but I was asked and I thought it was worth the try,” she said.
Sámano says she will continue to make art in the future, but more for herself than for formal galleries. What she wants is to share her art with her friends, and perhaps on the internet.
