The hallways of CHS, aside from faithfully assisting students in their daily journey from one class to another, offers something more to those who are willing to pause and observe—art.

CHS  has three relatively permanent works of art on display.  Art department head Paul Dermont supervised one of these works, which is the sculpture found upstairs next to the gym windows called “!”.  Constructed in spring 2004, the sculpture consists of a series of colorful, overlapping panels in different shapes.

“It started off with the students working on large Masonite panels, and they divided up it up how they wanted, and each section is just one pattern,” Dermont said.

According to Dermont, the Masonite panels were then cut up into random pieces, arranged according to student preference, and then screwed and glued together.  The name “!” was the result of a contest between the kids.

“I think they really enjoyed it,” Dermont said.  “It was good for them to work in another medium.”

According to Dermont, the other two pieces of art, a wire sculpture in the art hallway and a mural outside the auditorium, were projects done with the help of an artist in residence.

“We had an artist in residence named Beverly Ress, and she’s another sculptor,” Dermont said.  “She had students fashion chicken wire into shapes.”

According to Dermont, the wire sculpture was supposed to go in the cafeteria, but they couldn’t get enough pieces, so the sculpture would have looked lost if it was placed in the cafeteria.

Perhaps the most seen yet least understood artwork is the large mural outside the auditorium. It features the paintings of several classics such as The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dal

í, and Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh.

According to Dermont, the mural was done through another artist in residence and supervised by previous art teacher George Nemcosky, sometime around 2003.  Beyond this information, details behind the mural’s construction remain relatively unknown among CHS students.  The idea of constructing a new mural, however, remains viable.

According to National Arts Honor Society (NAHS) president, senior Kallie Williams, a mural has been considered for many years as a possible project to fulfill the requirements for the graduating class of NAHS.

“I put forth a mural as an option, but at this point, it seems unlikely, since mural subject matter must be approved, and it would take awhile to create,” Williams said.  “If members really want to do a mural, I will work diligently with Dr. Benz and all staff or administration to get it approved and done on time.”

Other factors beside workload also affect the art department’s decision to start another mural or large sculpture.

According to Dermont, the art department has had a lot of new staff lately, so students have been doing more individual projects, such as those temporarily displayed in art exhibits around the school.

Whether it’s the work of a large group or individuals, the effect of student art on CHS is clear.

“Dr. Starr was here Feb. 3 and Dr. Benz wanted our work in room 126,  Dermont said. “So it really makes our school more inviting.”