Miami Dade County Public Schools selected the artwork by American Senior High School Fine Arts student, Osvaldo Estopian, as the official banner design for this year’s Black History Month.
It was chosen from hundreds of entries from schools in Miami Dade County, with 80 pieces being selected to appear in the exhibit. Estopian is a senior at American, and he has a passion for making art. He created the design for an assignment in his art class with teachers Ron Laffin and Kevin Murphy which involved the students researching African-American history and culture and then creating a piece of artwork reflecting that research.
Estopian’s winning design was printed onto banners that were hung in the Miami Dade School Board’s meeting chambers and other locations for Black History Month. Laffin said “Many of our students are producing incredible artwork, and it’s so nice when that work gets recognition.”
Four other pieces of art by American High’s young artists were also selected to appear in the Miami Dade County School’s Black History Month Art Exhibit. The students were Yanai Fraga, Evan Pierce, Ivan Martinez, and Rianna Wimberly
American’s Fine Arts program has continued the success of 2015 when they tied for the most student entries accepted out of all schools, including arts magnet schools, into the Miami Dade Schools art exhibits for the year. Student artworks from the school thus far this year have been accepted into ”Small Works”, “Scholastic Awards,” “Superintendent’s Holiday Card,” and “Youth Art Month.”
The Fine Arts Academy is one of a number of academies at American High geared toward student successes not only in high school but also helping them as they enter college and the career world. Patrice Degraff is the Department Head of the Fine Arts Academy which offers various courses in the visual arts, drama and music. Principal Francisco Garnica has continued to spearhead the overall academy experience for students.