Art For Awareness is a club at Francis Lewis that is changing the way people view creativity. It shows art is not just for decoration—it’s a powerful form of expression that can convey deep messages and show people’s cultures and struggles.
“I would like people to understand more about how art can be used as a form of media itself, like it can be used to cover a very powerful message,” Sherry Lin, a member of the research team in Art for Awareness, said. “Not just through writing, art itself is to be very expressive.”
According to President Rena Lin, the process for creating a topic or issue to convey through art begins with communicating with the research committee members and learning about possible topics related to the month.
“Well, first I told my research head to send out a Google form to my researchers and they’ll do research on two topics related to this month,” Lin said. “I’ll look over the form, compile the results, and select the ones that are most suited for the club’s purpose. Afterwards, I’ll research activities related to those. Once I have those plans, I’ll send it out to my art head, my research head, and my secretary.”
“We order the materials through the S.O. and then we take the materials and put it in the art room,” Lin added. “We have artists come in to create examples for the club. and then the researchers create the slideshow.”
Artists have the freedom to express themselves as long as it’s related to the activity, according to Lin.
“I have very few restrictions on what they want to do,” Lin said. “For example, during the one where we did origami animals, although we had examples on the board, I allowed them to use their phones to search up their own, like YouTube tutorials, examples, whatever they want to make. They could literally do whatever they want, as long as they’re not breaking any rules and it’s related to our activity.”
Sometimes people don’t realize how powerful art can be when it comes to getting a message across. While it might not always seem like the most “productive” form of work in the usual sense (writing, speeches, PSA’s, etc.), art has a unique way of expressing important ideas and showing issues that might be overlooked.
“I think my favorite project that I’ve done so far, I think it would be the Kachina dolls that we did, which was our very first activity,” Lin said. “They’re Native American wooden dolls that they’ll create and then they’ll decorate. It was unique, it was creative. Not only did it spread awareness, people actually had fun.”
Art gives people a fun and engaging way to connect with important topics. Using symbols like ribbons (that represent femininity) while drawing women, for example, helps bring awareness to women’s history in a more meaningful way. Art can tell the story of history—how things came to be and the cultures that influence our world.
“Just think of an idea that you’re dedicated to,” Lin said. “Don’t just think of one just because you think of looking for college. Think about one that you’re actually passionate about.”
