Anna Gardiner ’23 is a four-year Senior from Montclair, New Jersey. She has taken two years of Humanities Art, one year of Honors Portfolio, one year of Honors Art History, and is currently enrolled in Honors Advanced Portfolio. On campus, she is a co-head of the Art Club, co-head of Blue & White, and member of the Senior Class Council.
How did you discover your passion for visual arts?
My father is an architect, and I grew up in an artistic family. I’ve always liked to draw, but I really started focusing on it when I entered the Humanities Program at the school. Teachers here have been an integral part of my journey to launch my passion.
What do you love most about visual arts?
I am a super detailed-oriented person, so a lot of the work I do is observational. It’s a really good way for me to clear my mind and have an outlet during the day by using my brain in a different way than critical analysis [in classes].
What is your favorite piece of artwork that you have produced?
Last year, I did a project for the Troutbeck Symposium, which focused on the Troutbeck Inn and its historical significance. The Inn housed several NAACP conferences and artists and activists in civil rights. My piece for the Symposium is an observational and architectural piece based on the actual building. I did a ton of research on the property, the building, the renovations, and how that informed what the Inn was able to do for the civil rights movement.
How has the school helped you improve as an artist?
Hotchkiss is such a focused place, where peers are highly encouraging. Being able to step into an art classroom, which is just as highly prioritized as a math classroom, is a special aspect of Hotchkiss.
What is a piece of advice you would give to aspiring artists?
Stick with what you love to do. It’s great to push yourself outside your comfort zone, but it’s important to know what you love and know what your strengths are in order to use them to create a passion for yourself.
Do you have any future goals regarding visual arts?
A broad goal I have is to have art, in some way or another, incorporated into my professional life. I don’t necessarily have aspirations to be a professional artist, but I would like for it to be incorporated into my life because of how important it is to me.
