To build confidence: Southwest Education Academy students showcase artwork in Cedar City

Written by Alysha Lundgren
April 25, 2022

CEDAR CITY — Art enthusiasts interested in supporting young artists can do so by visiting the Cedar City offices where artwork created by local students adorns the brick walls.

Artwork by students of Iron County School District’s Southwest Education Academy hanging at the Cedar City offices, Cedar City, Utah, April 18, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News

Pieces include a watercolor cactus, a pen-sketched bristlecone pine tree and an oil painting of Alpine Lake, among others. Each piece is for sale and 100% of the proceeds are paid to a junior or senior at Southwest Education Academy, Iron County School District’s alternative high school, art teacher Tiffany Marchant said.

Additionally, Marchant said she had some exciting news to share with one of the students.

“We got our first sale,” she said. “A total stranger left some money in an envelope at the front office. So I’m going to give the money to the boy. I’m really excited to see his face.”

Marchant said the school didn’t have the space or funds to hold an art show, but she wanted to make it happen for her students. She applied for a Cedar City Arts Council grant and was awarded $500. Additionally, Bruce Miner donated another $500 to the project, allowing for Marchant to purchase oil painting supplies and frames for the students’ art.

“Once they got the real oil painting brushes, they couldn’t believe the difference in what they could do, and they were really grateful,” Marchant said.

Southwest Education Academy art teacher Tiffany Marchant standing in front of example work in her classroom, Cedar City, Utah, April 18, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News

The students will continue adding to the exhibit and she expected to have more watercolor paintings hung up, Marchant added.

While most of her students won’t become artists, Marchant said she wanted them to be able to do something they didn’t think they could.

“I feel like that can give them confidence,” she said. “I feel like the arts create beauty in people’s lives, and I just want them to have a little bit of the arts in their lives.”

One student said the art exhibit was a nice change and that she liked that her school was involved.

Marchant said she plans to organize art exhibits every year, adding that she plans to apply for a $1,000 grant from Iron County School District to fund next year’s project.

Southwest Education Academy

Marchant said the academy is “nothing short of a miracle” and that the school is set up for students facing challenges, including those who struggle with attendance, who fell behind during COVID-19 shutdowns, and who benefit from smaller classrooms and more one-on-one support. Students must acquire 24 credits to graduate, which is less than other high schools in the county, she said.

Jesus Rodriquez, a student at Southwest Education Academy, holds up his artwork, Cedar City, Utah, April 18, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News

One student said he didn’t know much about the school before enrolling except that he’d need fewer credits to earn his diploma.

“But, I really like it here and I’m actually passing,” he said.

Jesus Rodriquez, 18, whose art hangs in the exhibit, said he puts in more effort at the academy than at his previous high school because he feels like the teachers are more patient. Other students echoed his statements. Marchant said she’s able to help more students individually because there are fewer students per class.

Some students began the semester unsure they could create art but gained confidence over the course of the school year, Marchant said, adding that it’s rewarding to see the light in their eyes when they’re successful.

Health and physical education teacher April Earl said the most challenging part of her work is seeing the students’ potential when they can’t, and that it’s amazing when students start believing in themselves. She added that the students are producing amazing artwork.

Student artwork at Southwest Education Academy, Cedar City, Utah, April 18, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News

“Anytime you have success, then you’re able to kind of believe that maybe you can have success elsewhere – especially in school,” Earl said. “School’s really hard for them because they haven’t been successful. So if you can get them to be successful at school they can change their lives.”

Earl said individuals who want to support Southwest Education Academy classrooms can donate snack food, like granola bars or fruit snacks, noting that some students don’t have much food at home.

Those interested in viewing the students’ artwork can do so by visiting the Cedar City offices at 10 North Main Street where the exhibit will be shown until May 20.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alysha Lundgren joined the St. George News team in 2022. She began her career as a freelancer, writing resource articles for families of children with disabilities. She's also covered topics such as astronomy, recreation and nature. Originally from Nevada, Alysha fell in love with Utah quickly after moving to Cedar City. In her free time, she enjoys wandering and photographing Utah's gorgeous landscapes or hunkering down in a blanket to play video games or read a good book.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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