One of the things I appreciate most about my senior year thus far has been being a part of the small, but hardworking group of Advanced Art students at Hingham High School. On Wednesday, January 24, Seniors taking Portfolio, Graphic Design and Photography III, and AP Studio Art, gathered for a mid-year critique, discussing everyone’s best work made in Term 2.

Each student had five new pieces to discuss, and those taking two of the advanced art classes at the same time had almost double that. Throughout the day, in shifts of 2 hours, we all took turns presenting our new pieces, taking time to discuss our achievements and challenges , and listening to other student’s and teachers opinions on where where have succeeded and where we have improved.

The midyear critique is definitely really beneficial for the Senior artists at HHS. I know I, personally as a Portfolio and Graphics III student, am constantly presenting my drawings to my peers in class and swiveling my computer to show those around me my design work to ask for feedback. Despite these more local responses, it is really interesting to hear comments about my work from an advanced ceramics student. Other kinds of artists definitely bring a new perspective to everyone’s work, which is one of the most beneficial aspects of the midyear critique.

Portfolio and AP Studio Art student Lucy Collins said “I thought it was a great way to get feedback from the teachers as well from other students. It gave me a clear direction I want to go in next and I really enjoyed getting to see everyone else’s points of view as well.”

Seeing the work of so many talented artists was also nothing short of inspiring. So many artists here at HHS really work hard to produce creative, well-crafted work. Portfolio student Lily Fernald recounts that “It was fun and everyone’s work was unique and expressed their personality. It was very inspiring.” The midyear critique was a great way to end the semester, and all the advanced art students are now hard at work for the upcoming Advanced Art Show in the spring.