The Nesto Gallery Exhibit, titled “Those that Teach, Do!” opened on November 13. Created by our own Milton Academy arts faculty, the exhibit presents a fresh collection of pieces offering students and the rest of the community a chance to recognize the creative sides of our teachers outside of the classroom. The exhibit cohesively displays the various works of art all reflecting unique styles and interests of the faculty artists.
Nesto displays a total of 11 pieces of art, each of them offering different meanings, stories, and questions. Some works depict landscapes while others are portraits, but each of them has a unique style that leaves the viewer feeling more curious and inspired by the artist.
This innovative exhibition seeks to provide a way to reshape student-teacher relationships. Students often limit their perception of teachers to the teachers’ authoritative dynamic, creating assignments and grading work; however, when students see their teachers’ original artwork in the Nesto Gallery, they can see a new, creative side of the teachers. Madeleine Kelly ‘26 shared that “Seeing my teacher’s creative side reflected in the artwork in the gallery was a really cool, eye opening experience into the sides we don’t always get to see from them in class.” She continued, “Seeing their personal stylistic choices and ideas of their pieces made me appreciate the insight they offer me in class so much more, because now I’m able to see the results of their own artistic decisions. I recommend everyone stop by, even if you don’t take an art course, so that you can have some insight into how talented our faculty in the Arts Department actually is!”
As of press time the gallery has already received many thoughts shared by students. Lila Feldman ‘29, a student in the visual arts program, shared, “I found all the pieces very interesting. They all had a fascinating story to tell. I especially enjoyed the bold and vibrant colors that the artists chose to include in their paintings,” and many other students in and out of the art program share the same opinions. Additionally, Ella Cammack ‘26 explained, “It’s interesting to see their artwork outside of class. It’s also really cool to see how one of the paintings actually takes place here in Boston.”
Visual Arts Teacher Hannah Wagner expressed that the Visual Arts Department hopes that the exhibition will not only display to the students their hard work but also demonstrate how art isn’t perfect. They aim to show how even as adults they are growing and experimenting too as artists. They hope that this message comes across towards the students that view the Nesto Gallery but as well as any art they see.
As a result, this new exhibition also exemplifies how creativity does not stop in adulthood. For students, seeing their own teachers work and experiment with art pieces makes the students more encouraged and inspired to do the same.
The exhibition will be open until the start of winter break.