Spring 2022 Iridescence Literary Magazine Now Available Online

Iridescence Literary Magazine showcases art, photography, and creative writings submitted by 9-12 Sheboygan North High students. Take a look at the Spring 2022 issue and download your very own copy. Printed copies will become available in early June 2022. Pending delivery delays.

Iridescence Literary Magazine was founded and conceptualized in 2021 by Junior Grace Z.

Advisors: Mrs. Cavanaugh, Mr. Juárez, and Mr. McGoldrick.

Iridescence Literary Magazine is supported by a grant from the Kohler Foundation, Inc.

8 questions with Editor-in-Chief, Grace Z.

Mr. Juárez: What is Iridescence?

Grace Z: Iridescence is a yearly literary magazine produced entirely by North High students. Throughout the year, we collect submissions and select a diverse amount of writing and art to be placed in the magazine. 

MJ: What was the inspiration behind Iridescence Literary Magazine?

GZ: I was first inspired to start Iridescence after I saw another high school literary magazine in a school library. Seeing that it was all curated, created, and collected by students, it was truly inspiring to see a glimpse of the students’ creativity from that school. I wanted to bring that same opportunity for students at Sheboygan North High, which is what led me to founding the Iridescence Literary Magazine. 

MJ: How did you come up with the name of the magazine?

GZ: Iridescence is defined as: “showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.” This name resonated with me the most as I felt that in a metaphorical way, that represented the purpose of the Iridescence Literary Magazine– a publication that showcases the vibrant, creative aspects of Sheboygan North High School in a new light. 

MJ: What is the goal of the magazine?

GZ: The goal for the magazine is to provide a platform for students at Sheboygan North High School to showcase their work. Whether that be words or illustrations, we encourage students to get their work out there, become published creatives, and have their work seen throughout the community.

MJ: What long-term goals do you have for the magazine?

GZ: The Iridescence Literary Magazine aspires to foster an atmosphere of individual creativity. We intend to promote emerging strong, unique voices to represent the talented group of emerging writers in Sheboygan and elsewhere.

MJ: Have you encountered challenges during the process of putting it together?

GZ: The challenge with putting the magazine together was making sure that every detail was taken care of. From designing all of the pages, collecting submissions, to acquiring funding, the process of putting the magazine together took countless hours. However, even so, it was truly an incredibly exciting and rewarding process. To be able to have a final magazine with work from Sheboygan North High feels truly incredible, and I’m looking forward to putting together issue #3 next year as well.

MJ: What have you learned about yourself as the editor-in-chief?

GZ: Being editor-in-chief of the Iridescence Literary Magazine has taught me a lot. I’ve learned not only about the process of making such a magazine and having it being printed, but also many life lessons along the way. Time management, planning, and communication has been an integral part in Iridescence, and I hope to continue learning and improving as Iridescence’s editor-in-chief.

MJ: What advice would you give a fellow student in pursuit of a creative project?

GZ: My greatest advice would be to find a mentor. Whether that be a teacher, someone who works in that field, or a parent, finding someone who is preferably knowledgeable in your particular creative project is extremely helpful, as they can help guide you through the process. For Iridescence, my advisors and teachers are my mentors. I feel incredibly grateful to have all their support, as they have played a significant role in helping make the Iridescence Literary Magazine possible.

Mr. Juarez to present at the NAEA Convention in Minneapolis, MN

Mr. Juarez will be presenting at the upcoming National Art Education Association (NAEA) Convention in Minneapolis, MN. He will be presenting on the topic of Social Networking via Skype. 

Since 2014, he has been Skyping contemporary artists into his classroom that he has worked with through a project he created called, Midwest Artist Studios Project. One of the project’s goals was to provide a way for art teachers and students to interact with these artists via Skype. Through this platform, artists and students had the opportunity to talk about the work they have created or in the process of creating. This exchange resulted in critiques, Q & A’s about each other’s work, or just the opportunity to talk ‘art shop’.

This Fall, Mr. Juarez decided to make these Skype talks more formal through a program he titles, “Skype Session Series”. Each month will bring a new artist from anywhere in the U.S. and beyond into the art room to engage in meaningful discussions, engage in constructive criticism, and provide the opportunity for his art students to begin networking with artists who are doing what they are passionate about. The artists are paired with students who are working in the same medium and/or genre. The sessions are screened for the entire class to participate in this experience. 

NAEA received over 1,300 presentation proposals this year. Selection relied upon scoring criteria for the blind peer review and selection process. The peer review process ensures each proposed presentation receives three separate blind reviews that employ careful thought and consideration in terms of the Statement of Purpose and Outcomes, Organization of Content, Relevance of Topic, and Impact on Practice. The caliber of this year’s presentations was excellent—making the acceptance of 691 sessions (approximately 45%) highly competitive.

Some of this school year’s line up are Joe Bussell (KS), Andrea Guzzetta (CA), Jenniffer Omaitz (OH), Laura Nugent (MO), Laura Sims Peck (WI), Jason Rohlf (NY), Jay Riggio (CA), and Jane Ryder (IA).

For updates connect with us on instagram.com/snhsartdept


Recent Skype session

Jay Riggio, Los Angeles, CA

Images courtesy of the artist

L to R: In the Darkness, there was something of a light, Handcut Paper, Paint, Ink, Glue & Layered Resin on Wood Panel, 24”x24”x1”, 2019 | The WaitingHandcut Paper, Paint, Glue & Layered Resin on Wood Panel, 12”x12”x1”, 2019 | The Movement of a DaydreamHandcut Paper, Paint, Glue & Layered Resin 3D Wood Assemblage, 18” x 13” x 1”, 2019

Jay Riggio, a self-taught visual artist, was born in Long Island, New York in 1978. Utilizing original source material from discarded magazines and books, Riggio’s work brings new life to once forgotten imagery through complex, mixed media collages. His works depict dream-inspired stories through unique, surrealistic visual pairings: a reflection of the artists interpretations on life, love, humor and the human condition. 

In addition to exhibiting work in galleries around the world, Riggio has done commercial illustrations for brands like Gather JournalThe New York TimesBrooklyn Magazine, Alice McCall, A24 Films, Lovesick Skateboards and more. 

Jay currently lives and works in Los Angeles, CA.

www.jayriggioart.com

instagram.com/jayriggioart


Student testimonial

“After talking with Jay Riggio, I felt more confident with my art and myself as an artist. Since I’m still a student, and also unsure of my art, talking to Jay made me more confident and happier for my work. A lot of things that he talked about—not having found an “art style” yet, how emotions play a big role in his work, and his motivation to always try new things—really connected and stuck with me. Like him, I don’t necessarily have a set art style developed yet, and Jay further assure that I don’t need to quickly strive for one. Also, when Jay was describing emotions playing a big role in his works, I wasn’t really expecting emotions to be an answer, but I couldn’t agree more. I realized that a lot of my emotions also plays a role in my work and how I get ideas. When describing his motivation to keep trying new things, I saw that as very inspiring. As an artist, it is scary sometimes to try something new, and it also costs money. So, when Jay was talking about that, I saw it as inspiring that he has that ambition to strive for new ideas and new mediums. Right now, I have many things I want to try but I’ve been hesitant to try. Hearing Jay talk about this will keep me pushing through this and to explore more. This experience with him was a very nervous, but thankful and insightful experience. I hope I can grow more from this”. – Abbey X, grade 11.


Mr. Juarez will also be presenting on “Secondary Best Practices and Exemplary Lessons:  In/Outside of Art and Art Education”. This presentation integrates the art world into the art room as a multi-dimensional approach to student learning, increase rigor, and college & career readiness.

End of the Year Celebration at Sheboygan North High Art Department

We end the 2018-2019 school year with two amazing programs, The National Art Honor Society (NAHS) and the Artist-in-residency Program (AiR).

The Sheboygan North High Art Department officially became a National Art Honor Society (NAHS) chapter. This is the first chapter of its kind in our North High history dedicated to the visual arts. 

Visual arts education is essential to 21st-century learning. As a new NAHS chapter we utilized the National Art Education Association (NAEA) to stay ahead of developments in the field of arts education by being introducing a broad perspective of research, issues, and policy trends that are key in art education. As a NAHS chapter we connected to thousands of chapters from around the globe who are passionate about the integral role of the visual arts in ensuring all students to receive a high-quality, effective, and well-rounded education. 

We believe that the National Art Honor Society will contribute to reaching our building goals. In addition, introducing students to a diverse art offering beyond the walls of North High will expand their minds, to participate in new art experiences, and to provide leadership opportunities, which will contribute to their personal and academic growth. Student success is very important to us and our professional goal is to assist them in their journeys.

The NAHS Chapter created three committees focused on fundraising, community outreach, and beautifying our school environment through art.

We created partnerships with the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and the MEAD Library.

Below is a collection of images that our students participated in as well as a video celebrating the completion of our “Be the Next Generation” Mural, an exit interview and artist talk with Craig Grabhorn, and poetry readings.

Gallery

Mural in progress

National Art Honor Society’s (NAHS) mural, “Be the Next Generation”, is a gift to North High School and its students. As you can see, it pictures the words, “be the next generation” underlying a sprouting seedling. Planning the mural, we wanted the sprout to symbolize everyone who feels lost or isolated while also standing for growth. Nature is an empowering force. No matter where, it finds a way. Even from the concrete, nature erects itself in masses of green foliage. A sproutling is small, inferior, and feeble. We could easily uproot it with our bare hands, but sproutlings grow. They persevere between the concrete and with time they rise to the sky and become towering trees. We are the trees, we can grow and become greater things. We have always persisted; from the very beginning when we were wild and instinctual, to now where we face the stresses of everyday life. We grow and adapt. We become today and the rising suns of tomorrow.        

The word “generation” is a major point of the mural. Each letter was painted by a different member of NAHS with what they perceived as “the next generation” or simply their thoughts on the phrase and their inspirations. By incorporating the “art” into the word “generation” we are literally proclaiming that what we, all of us, aspire for in the future will become the next generation. 

We want to encourage and inspire the generations of now to take a stand for both others and themselves, regardless of their skin color, their background, their gender, their sexual orientation, and etc. You don’t have to conform to the society of yesterday. Be who you want to be and who you need to be for the good of the world. – Sara Vang, grade 10

Artist-in-residency with Craig Grabhorn (Exit Interview)

Hear what he has to say about his experience at North High as a visiting artist.

Video: End of the Year Celebration at Sheboygan North High School

In this video we share with you the unveiling of “Be the Next Generation”, artist talk with Craig, and poetry readings by students & advisor (in response to Craig’s art).

National Art Honor Society Winter Issue 2018 – NHS Art in the News

The Sheboygan North High School is happy to announce its first appearance in the Winter Issue of NAHS News. This issue highlights NAHS chapters throughout the U.S. and members’ artworks. 

Below are a few snapshots from our chapter. 

Click here to view its current issue. 

 

Things that we’ve been up to 

The NHS NAHS members started their first mural. This new mural is titled, “Be the Next Generation”. This mural will inspire others to put their best foot forward to make a difference in the lives of others.