Arts Student of the Week Lexi Adams

Although Niwot High School sophomore Lexi Adams does not yet have any firm plans regarding her future school and work, the one thing she knows for sure about what lies ahead is that she would like to dedicate herself to something artistic. Adams readily admits that art has always been present in her life.

"I didn't practice it consistently until about six years ago," she said. "I enjoyed having a hobby that was unique in my family and friend group, and it quickly [changed] from a hobby to an aspiration."

Oddly enough, Adams' art is more influenced by her favorite musicians than by visual artists. She has enjoyed metal and emo music her whole life. "Generally speaking, more dark and hard hitting forms of music. That aesthetic has come through a lot in my art," she said, "acting as a motif of melancholy across my works."

According to her teacher, art educator Crystal Hinds, Adams is working her way through the 2D art track at NHS. "She is a very talented artist, and very focused," Hinds said. "She is prompt, courteous, and patient with peers."

Adams' art classes at NHS, which have included 2D Design, Beginning Paint, Beginning Drawing, Intermediate Paint, and Intermediate Drawing, have been simultaneously her most enjoyable and most challenging experiences. She has enjoyed the creative freedom and the resources contributed, as well as the close-knit community formed in every art class. But these classes also contain the highest expectations of work effort and quality from both herself and her teachers.

Through those classes Adams has been exposed to many mediums, but she would have to say her favorites are pen and acrylic paint. She has drawn with pen since she became seriously interested in art, because it was helpful for her to not be able to erase but still be able to achieve specific details. "I am a bit of a perfectionist," she said. "In terms of acrylic, I enjoy being able to cover so much so quickly. To me, acrylic is a very free and moving medium, and therefore way more creative feeling."

While Adams' education in art history is limited, she admits that there are a few artists who keep her attention. Artemisia Gentileschi, a 15th-century Italian baroque painter, is one example. "Her art is wildly vulgar and gruesome," Adams said. "She mainly depicts women in positions of power and revenge. The horrid detail and believability of her work is devastating."

And then there is Sophie Pearson, a contemporary artist based out of Massachusetts. "Her paintings are captivating and hyper-realistic," Adams said. "Her art makes me feel both viscerally uncomfortable and understood."

Art helps Adams make sense of things. It helps her, she says, to clarify ideas, emotions, and general thoughts. She feels it calms her down and gives her a purpose.

In Adams' freshman year, she took on the role of co-captain of the NHS Art Club and has, with a peer, directed and led the Art Club to its current iteration. "Art Club is a place where creative students at Niwot can find a community in the club," she said. "[They] find goals and activities to help them learn, but also just exist as artists, wanting to find space for our creativity. Coming to NHS has been great. The school has so much diversity and lovely teachers. The community is the best school environment I have ever found myself a part of."

Adams also enjoys learning guitar, skiing with her family, and obsessively reading fantasy novels. Hinds is enthusiastic about her student's future. "I see great things coming from Lexi over the next two years," she said, "and look forward to watching her skills and leadership grow."