ALL Humans Of Arts, Visual Arts {Part 1: Layanna Sciandra}

Going to an Arts Academy, you meet a lot of people with special talents and skills. When I came here as a freshman, I saw it as a way to express myself through school performances and events. But I noticed very quickly, that the schools representation for each major was heavily unbalanced.

Granted, some majors are more fit for the stage than others. Not because of talent, but because of execution of the performances. However this didn't seem like a good enough excuse for me. With six majors in the school, give or take a few, it's hard to battle for the spotlight with such a short school year.

Our art majors produce amazing pieces every year, yet the only change they truly get to show it off is one single art show, which is often scheduled on the same day as another major's performance. Not only is this unfair to them, but it goes against what our school is about. Encouraging kids to embrace their artistic abilities and share them with the community.

In this Blog thread, I decided to speak with three Art majors I have seen do amazing work in the past. I've also seen their passion for their craft and most of all, their anger in their lack of representation. Layanna, Raymond, and Jacob, three art majors who have been attending BAVPA for years. They have seen how their major is treated and represented. Let's see what their opinions are on the issue and how it can be fixed.

Let's start off with Layanna Sciandra. Layanna is a 12th grade Art major. She has a huge love for photography, and loves the ability to get lost in the studio. She believes that art allows her to have a voice. That she can convey a message through her pieces.

Layanna's Print for her class. 

Layanna believes that several factors play into the art department's lack of representation. But she has noticed a long history of financial issues for the department.

"I do not feel like the major get's the representation it deserves. There is a lot of factors that contribute to that. While I realize there is only so much the school can do, every year we hear of budget cuts over and over."

According to Layanna, the arts department has been told of budget cuts, while also being asked to pay studio fees in order to draw. She believes that whether this information is true or false, money should not be a barrier for the department to show off their skills.

"There is so much we can contribute to, whether it's stage sets, murals, or even work within the community."

With the concern of how their represented in mind, I asked them how they believed the other majors of the school viewed them and their department. Layanna's answer was unexpected, but also upsetting.

"I haven't thought much about it. But they always say we have a certain look. Whether it's the clothes we wear or our demeanor. I've heard before I 'act like an art major' whatever that means. This stereotype downplays how much were capable of most of the time. The school's name is 'Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts.' I feel like some generalize art as something easier than it is." 

Like Layanna said, Visual Arts is a genre of art all in itself. Unlike the performance majors, they don't get the opportunity to express themselves through plays, music, or films. Telling a story through visual art and photography is difficult. So why aren't we giving them the chance to show us how? Layanna believes that this could easily be corrected.

"We need more access to space in the school for active projects. Displaying our work year round instead of just one dedicated day. Even if there is still only one dedicated day, make it a day only for us, instead of shared by another performance."

All of this is only from Layanna! If only one student has this many ideas to improve this issue, why hasn't anything changed? What could we do to make this better?