Service Learning: The power of Art to make a change

Lincoln High School learners prepared a special art presentation focused on advocacy, part of the service learning program. Learn how our young artists explored the power of painting and expression to raise awareness and make a positive impact. 

“If you create art that targets a specific community and you know that community well, you can really create a piece that has an impact on that audience.” This insightful comment comes from high school student Santiago, as part of his explanation of A Closer Look, an Acrylic on Board piece that represents the duality between diversity and ignorance in the world. His work, partnered with fellow learner Sara, is only one of 15 pieces created by ninth and tenth-grade students for the art presentation Art Advocacy. 

It all began with one question: How can art respond to real-world needs in our local context? To answer this, high school learners collaborated with three community partners: an indigenous rights organization called Saberes, a nearby ecological reserve known as Reserva Ecológica Vicente López, and the school community, with the guidance of Sientania McNeil, Lincoln’s Director of Student Support Services. 

Through the Saberes partnership, students learned about the lives of the Wichí and Guaraní people, deforestation, and social marginalization. Visiting the Reserva Ecológica let learners document the native flora and fauna, learn from conservation staff, and identify pressing threats to the local ecosystem. The last collaboration offered a space to reflect on diversity and inclusion and the challenges that remain. 

“Art definitely has the power to impact people,” Orla, one of the artists involved in the Reserva Ecológica projects, shared. She then added: “It is the artist’s job to think about who they are trying to impact, and create their piece intentionally and purposefully. It is definitely possible to have an impact on society, even if it’s just emotional.”

“Art has a role in making society better,” Sarah Jacobs, Lincoln’s high school visual arts teacher, shared in an interview with Inspired Citizens, a group that co-creates student-centered learning experiences for future-focused global citizenship. Check out more details of the amazing work of our agents ff change in their article.