In an ever-evolving world, art for many is one of the few constants. Unreplicable and indispensable, there’s a reason why so many classes within Oak Park High School are dedicated to creativity.
Many in high school prioritize their passion, like in the STEM field, over their creative side. According to an American Academy of Arts and Sciences study, only 1.6% of master’s degree graduates in 2018 were awarded for the Arts, while 43.3% of graduates earned a master’s degree in STEM.
“I think [art] really gives everybody a chance to actually do something that’s practical… and to find success through both their accomplishments and failures,” 3-D design teacher Ian Fullmer said. “It’s a tangible thing and I think that’s something I wish education had a lot more of.”
Despite the countless obstacles that come with an art career, there are still many OPHS alumni who have chosen a path in the arts. One of these individuals is class of 2024 alumni Elizabeth Dusek who, after the college audition process, landed at the Chicago College of Performing Arts in Roosevelt University to study musical theater and dance.
“So far I’m really loving all of the dance classes that I’m taking … specifically the ballet and jazz classes are challenging but in a way that’s really good,” Dusek said.
Since she is learning in a conservatory, she is only taking one general education course: English. All of her other classes involve theater, so she has a more rigorously creative schedule while she also engages with other students.
“It’s really nice because you get to meet so many different types of people and you can find a group … that you relate to so much,” Dusek said.
While she always knew she loved all things singing, dancing and acting–spending her childhood in dance classes and musicals–it wasn’t until her sophomore year musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” that she realized it was what she wanted to do with her life.
“It’s such a unique art form,” Dusek said.
She plans to continue honing her craft over the next four years of college and then settle in one of the big three cities for performance: New York, Chicago or LA. She’s also preparing for the countless auditions she’ll perform as she works a part-time job, constantly putting her pride on the line to chase her dream.
“Not only is she a talented triple threat but she is truly just a wonderful person,” OPHS theater director Ellyn Schneider wrote to the Talon. “We miss her so much but are so excited to see her take the world of theater by storm in college and beyond.”
While Dusek is thriving in Chicago, some stayed home to follow their passion. Class of 2024 alumni Neala Blank, is currently attending Moorpark College while she works at Protegés Performing Arts dance studio in Westlake Village and teaches younger kids hip-hop and contemporary dance.
“The goal is to go teach people my age at larger studios in LA,” Blank said.
Blank had to come to terms with the fact that she wasn’t going down a “normal” path. The risks that come with a gig-to-gig job are undeniable, but her love for her craft outweighed her fears.
“Dance was a really good emotional outlet,” Blank said. “Whatever I was feeling: happy, sad, excited, angry, whatever, I could find a style that I wanted to do to execute it. It also just helped me connect with my love for music.”
Class of 2021 alumni Logan Dunn, a junior at the University of Tampa, is pursuing art in college because it is something he loves and a creative outlet. He primarily paints portraits using acrylic paint on canvas. His passion started by drawing his favorite cartoon and comic book characters throughout middle school.
“The hardest part about getting to where I am was pushing past all of the criticism of people telling me that art was a waste of time,” Dunn said.
Dunn’s proudest achievement was creating his painting business LoganDunnArt. After starting his business, Logan reflects that if he could change anything, he would go back and paint earlier.
“I never painted before my junior year of high school and had I started earlier, I would have been even better than I am now,” Dunn said.
Dunn advises those interested in continuing art beyond OPHS to be consistent and have fun with the art one creates.
“Try to sit down and at least draw for one hour every single day because that is the only way to get better. I would also say to not put so much pressure on yourself to create wonderful pieces. It’s still supposed to be fun.”
