Art has been a big part of the high school experience at Cherry Hill High School East, as students are able explore self-expression through electives ranging from 3D art to commercial art. Recently, two junior students have been working to expand creative spirit beyond the classroom. Art Club, established by co-presidents Paige Edmonds (‘27) and Chloe Kirkham (‘27), hopes to strengthen the bonds art gives the community and elevate the role of art within East.
For Edmonds, improving the way people perceive Art Club is a priority.
“My personal goal is to give the club a better reputation than what it has right now,” said Edmonds. “In the years I’ve been at East, I’ve been hearing people say that Art Club and its activities were disappointing, or the club as a whole has been looked down upon as just a small group of people who like to doodle during lunch and not a serious club, so my intention is to change that.”
Kirkham shares similar ambitions for the club’s growth. The two presidents hope to host an interest meeting soon to introduce students to their mission of making art more recognized.
“We really aim to make art something more accessible to the school as well as giving students a way to express themselves,” Kirkham said.
One of Art Club’s biggest goals is to increase collaboration across the East. Both Edmonds and Kirkham emphasize the importance of working with a wide variety of groups and clubs. In addition, they plan to launch activities that are open for the entire school. In particular, they are excited about implementing a student-created zine library, which would consist of a collection of student-made art and writing that any student can contribute to or borrow from.
“[Students] voice opinions, share information, or just create art about things they’re passionate about,” said Kirkham, regarding the zine library and other similar opportunities the club will initiate.
Edmonds hopes the club will bring people from different backgrounds together.
“By having an active Art Club open to any and all people in the East, there can be more appreciation for art as a whole, as well as a stronger sense of community between different groups in this school,” she said.
As Art Club begins to introduce itself into the East community, Edmonds and Kirkham have put their full commitment into building a welcoming space where students can express creativity and connect with one another. The club aims to play a big part in East’s growing opportunities for its students through the co-presidents’ visions and leadership.
“There is a very large variety of interests among students here, which often causes division. I would like to be able to use Art Club as not just a space for art students, but a way to bring all [different] kinds of people here together,” said Edmonds.
