Fall for the Arts T-shirts feature student-inspired artwork

This year's Fall for the Arts T-shirts for each division featured artwork designed or inspired by students.

The Pre-K to 8 T-shirt, which features the Darlington Tiger surrounded by graphics representing theater, music, and painting, was inspired by an original drawing by eighth-grader Temira Bolds. 

"I wanted to use the Darlington mascot in combination with something that represented the arts -- images that everyone would associate with artistic expressions," explained Bolds, who has been drawing since she was 6 years old. "What I love about visual art is that I am able to picture something in my mind, and draw it out on paper."

In addition to drawing, Bolds enjoys pottery and painting. 

"My favorite fine arts experience at Darlington has been abstract color painting," she said. "I also love the creativity of the assignments my art teacher gives us."

The Upper School T-shirt features senior Mary Prusakowski's original drawing of the fountain on the Zelle Patio.

"Last year, my art class was assigned a project that had us choose a piece of Darlington architecture to create artwork of," she said. "The arts programs here have always been a special part of my Darlington experience, so I decided to draw the fountain in front of Zelle [Fine Arts Center]. The fountain was inspired by a previous student’s artwork; I chose this specifically to represent the level that Fall for the Arts promotes student involvement."

Prusakowski says drawing has been an integral part of her life for as long as she can remember. 

"I really love the feeling of the boundless potential to spill your mind’s contents onto a blank piece of paper," she said.

But her artistic endeavors don't end there. Some of her favorite experiences have been in Darlington's theater program, where she has met some of her closest friends and had many opportunities for creative design.

"From filmmaking, to studio art, to graphic design, to working backstage as stage manager in our plays and musicals, I really enjoy involving myself in many different areas of the arts," said Prusakowski. "The fine arts at Darlington are truly special; the programs are defined by impassioned teachers that value and actively work hard toward our success as well as many different opportunities to be involved."

Both T-shirt designs were printed in ivory and all students had the opportunity to tie dye them with visiting artist Heather McDurmon earlier this month. 

Click here to learn more about the arts programs at Darlington.