Written by AFA Intern Mary Piscatella
While art has always been a major aspect in my life, especially as a hobby, it has never felt more important to me until I entered high school. I entered my freshman year of high school online during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a highly stressful time for many people. My bedroom quickly turned from a “stress-free zone”, or my safe space, to my new classroom, becoming the hub of my stress due to keeping my grades up with virtual school and trying to make new friends online. Towards the end of my 8th grade year, I signed up for my high school schedule, including the 2D Art elective. Once 9th grade rolled around, I had never been more grateful for my decision. While 2D Art was technically a class, meaning I did receive a grade for my work, it really did not feel like a class due to the calmness it provided me during a time of darkness. The 2D Art assignments were the only works that could not be completed via computer screen, giving me some sense of normalcy. Additionally, completing the different assignments using different mediums each day allowed for me to escape into my own creative world, temporarily leaving my stresses of life behind me. During the Zoom classes, we had the opportunity to complete our art pieces while discussing our works in breakout groups, which allowed me to make friends virtually as well as give us topics of conversation upon returning to campus in person. Through what may seem like a simple elective to some, it is a class that truly means so much to me as it has shaped my creativity and provided me with an education on different 2D art techniques to use as a method to wind down after a stressful day. Finally, through the course, I met one of my closest friends who also pursues her love for the arts, inspiring many with her talents.
Now that my school has returned back in person, and I am entering my senior year of high school, I have indeed felt the stresses of both school work through AP and honors courses as well as the college application process. Although I no longer could fit art in my school schedule, I continued to pursue the hobby through Arts For All’s Fun Craft Friday activities. Each week, I create a new craft to be posted on the Arts For All social media platforms. Though the crafts may feel as though they are for a younger audience, I have had so much fun coming up with and making the crafts as they have truly have allowed me to take a step back from the stresses of school work and focus on creativity, leaving behind any tension or stress I may have held onto during the school day. I am very grateful for the stress-free outlet art has given me, especially as a high school student, and for the positive impact it has left on my mental health.
