Talented artist and pizza loving senior, Mackenzie Gropel, can be found starting her day, and ending her day in the art rooms. Gropel has grown up in a family of six. She is the second oldest with; one older sister whom is a sophomore in college, and two younger twin sisters that are freshmen in high school. Even though she has only been here for three years, she has definitely made a mark in the arts department at Pleasant Valley.
How many art classes have you taken, and which ones?
At PV I’ve taken photography, art 1, drawing, advanced drawing, and ceramics. I didn’t take any art classes my freshman year at my old school, but I was always sketching and stuff on the side.
Which art class was your favorite, and why?
My favorite art class was probably drawing because I got to learn how to draw with materials other than pencils, which helped me grow creatively.
Are there any students or teachers that have truly inspired you?
My middle school art teacher was the one who made me want to pursue art as I got older. She would stay after school with me and teach me whatever I wanted until my parents picked me up.
Will you continue with art after high school?
Yes. I received an art scholarship from Buena Vista University, so I am required to at least minor in an art related field. However, I have not decided a specific art minor for my requirement yet.
What is your favorite work of art you have created?
Last semester I drew a nature shot using charcoal, and this semester with a group of two other girls I created a tape drawing in the hallways. Those two would have to be my favorites so far.
Does your art work tend to have a theme?
Honestly my artwork is all over the place; between ceramics, paintings, traditional drawings, to weird stuff I make for fun. So no there is not a common theme.
How do you feel about Mr. Hanson leaving? What impact has he made on your artwork and you?
I didn’t have Mr. Hanson until my senior year, but I have had him for both of my senior year semesters. He’s probably the teacher who pushed me the most to keep going with art. He’s very supportive and he isn’t afraid to give honest feedback which is something you need to get better. I wouldn’t of even applied for my art scholarship if I never had him as a teacher because he really showed me that you can do so many things with art after you graduate. He’s an amazing teacher, and I was lucky to have him before he left to finish his art dream. I think students really will miss out on having him as a teacher, but he really deserves to move higher up in the art world!
