The Arts Make A Comeback at Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy

A student poses next to her artwork for a photo in the middle of a crowded art show at Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy.

Published On: March 14th, 2025Categories: 2025, Academics at Noble, Campus Life, Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy, Students

Arts at Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy are making a major comeback. Art electives made a return last year after four years and have grown even more this year with four completely filled art classes. Now, it’s inspiring students to create even more arts opportunities for themselves.

Last year, a few enterprising 11th and 12th graders started up the Creative Studio Art Club to give students a space to create art.

“I was very excited when I heard there would be an art club at Rowe-Clark for students to come and express themselves through art… Growing up, I have always enjoyed looking at art and going to museums, seeing the different sculptures and paintings,” said Zakiah Williams, a senior who joined the art club and now supports other students as an assistant in the club.

This year, the club collaborated with Edda Perez, Rowe-Clark’s art teacher, to organize an art show in December titled “Unique Mediums.” They worked hard all last semester to bring it to fruition. The event showcased artwork from club members, art class students, and even staff artists for families, friends, and community members to enjoy. All 9th-grade art class students were required to submit their artwork for the first semester as their final, so nearly all of their freshman peers showed up to support, along with their families. The artwork was displayed on the walls for the rest of the month as well.

A student at Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy stands in front of a wall filled with artwork. Behind them, you can see more artwork on display boxes placed throughout the lobby. A few other people stand in the background.

A group of people stands in front of a long table laden with artwork. Some point to specific pieces, others are just looking.

It was a great opportunity for student artists like Tahani Hargrow-Phelps to feel more confident in their art.

“I feel great about showing my artwork,” Tahani said, “It’s made me think hard about what I should do {in life} and take {my art} more seriously.”

Tahani has been creating art since the second grade, inspired by her love of cartoons. She started drawing characters and has since developed her skills in pencil drawing and digital art.

“Creating art makes me very happy, and I love my art class at Rowe-Clark.” She said.

Pastel drawing by Tahini Hargrow-Phelps. It is on a long horizontal piece of white paper and depicts a pink-haired mermaid singing to a group of sea creatures, including a fish, a seahorse, and a jellyfish.

Acrylic painting by Tahini Hargrow-Phelps. It is on a small sheet of canvas paper and depicts a Black girl with long wavy brown hair in a bright blue ball gown with a matching bow and choker. The background is a solid light blue.

Watercolor painting by Tahini Hargrow-Phelps. It is on a small sheet of canvas paper. A young girl with light brown skin and hair in the same shade stands with her arms behind her back, smiling. She is wearing a bright blue ball grown with short sleeves off the shoulders and a big bow at the waist. Her hair is long and wavy and half up in two big messy buns at the top of her head. The background is a solid light gray.

Artwork Tahani submitted to the art show.

Perez is glad to have been a part of reinvigorating the arts at Rowe-Clark. She joined the school in 2022 and was the one to pitch the art elective last year.

“I believe having more arts programming in our school gives our students other outlets to express themselves as they discover and develop their skills. It also exposes students to various mediums of communicating a message to an audience.” Perez said.

Other staff members have definitely noticed the boost in the arts on campus.

“The art club and enrichment have provided students a fantastic opportunity to express themselves. Additionally, the art show is giving students a chance to create something for more than a grade and, instead, put their artistic output on display for peers, adults, and the community to see,” said Shawn Glowzynski, a teacher at Rowe-Clark. “The art community at Rowe-Clark is allowing students to try something bold and adventurous, and the students are shining!”