By Taylor Bush

The Art Club and art classes at BHS are up to great things this semester. With a new teacher and a great group of students participating, the club is conducting many fundraisers and projects.
Rebecca Long started as the new art teacher at Bainbridge High School in August of this year. Long is a BHS graduate of 1999 and is beginning her 10th year of teaching. Long explains that she comes from a family thoroughly involved in the various Arts in Bainbridge and is excited to carry on that tradition. She has increased Art Club participation by getting students excited and involved in major projects. With Long as the leader, the art program at BHS is thriving and growing.
“I’d like to raise awareness in the community about the importance of the Arts,” Long said. “One of the ways I’m doing that is by trying to teach in a fun and positive way.”
Art classes have been offered at BHS for decades, but this year an additional class is being taught. Long is teaching a new visual arts class to introduce students to the many forms of art. Visual arts is one of seven art classes offered at BHS.
The other six include Painting 1, Painting 2, Ceramics 1, Ceramics 2, Drawing 1 and Drawing 2.
The Art Club is up to an outstanding number of 40 members. These students meet every other Thursday in the art classroom to work on art projects and community service projects.
This semester, the club is conducting three major projects. The Art Club is selling lollipops throughout the school day to raise money for two of these projects.
The lollipops sell for $1 a piece. Ultimately, the profits from the lollipops sales will be donated to Kadee Whittington, daughter of Carolyn Newberry, who is a graduate of BHS being treated for cancer.
A smaller portion of the lollipop sale profits will be donated to help raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis in the Bainbridge Community. It is fantastic to see a BHS club offering to help where help is needed. Long says that her main goal is to teach students how to be better citizens and to have a greater appreciation of the Arts once they leave her class.
The third major project that the club is working on is a collection of donations for the local Human Society Animal Shelter. The club is asking students of BHS to give items such as dog/cat food, towels, toys, cleaning supplies, etc. The grade that collects the most items will be rewarded with a breakfast from the Art Club. The collections will end on December 12, 2014. This project is available for any student to contribute to and get involved with, and BHS could not be more proud of the Art Club for organizing it.
To support the BHS Art Club, be sure to visit the booth that will be set up at the Bainbridge “Yuletide Jubilee” on Thursday, December 4. The students will be selling Bearcat pins, magnets, tshirts and more! Also watch for the Art Club float in the Christmas Parade on December 11.
The club has done great things already this semester and does not plan on slowing down. Bainbridge High School teachers, students, and administration are in awe of the club’s hard work.