Handmade ceramic pieces filled the Zimmer Gallery with color and culture, each one telling a story through texture, form, and glaze. In a workspace surrounded by clay and polished pieces, seniors Phoebe Ramirez and Laney Maximo showcased their artistic journeys in their senior show titled “Alma y Arte.”
Wednesday, May 7, marked the opening of their show, which celebrated Hispanic culture through music, art and tradition. Visual and ceramics art teacher Sally Chung said visitors were welcome to come see the show during lunch. The show closed Wednesday, May 14. Ramirez shared the inspiration and cultural connection behind “Alma y Arte.”
“We really wanted to do something that connected to our culture,” Ramirez said. “We just felt like doing something in Spanish would be fitting, since that’s the main language of our culture.”
For her contributions, Maximo created a collection of ceramic works that reflect her cultural background and personal journey. Her pieces included a series of handcrafted tiles, a decorative vase, candle holders and a detailed plate, all inspired by traditional Talavera pottery of her hometown: Puebla, Mexico. One of her pieces, “Raíces y Flores,” featured a network of flowers and vines, each bloom representing a family member, with their names subtly incorporated beneath the design.
“Every single thing has a meaning,” Maximo said, “and in our heritage, there is a strong family connection.”
Ramirez said her pieces highlight parts of Central American culture that may not be familiar to many, but hold deep meaning to her and her community. While setting up the show came with challenges — like pieces cracking and limits on how they could hang artwork — Ramirez and Maximo found ways to make it work and bring their vision to life.
“I sculpted traditional fruits from Central America, such as guava, passion fruit and papaya,” Ramirez said. “I also made three animals — a dog, cat and an elephant —because they each symbolize something important: loyalty, independence and strength.”
Chung helped organize logistics of the show, including Ramirez and Maximo’s artist statements, the guest list, display equipment requests and artwork labels. As their teacher, Chung said she has witnessed both students grow in their cramic skills and ambition to take on more complex projects. She noted how thoughtful and intentional they were in creating a “deeply meaningful” exhibition.
“They really didn’t compromise their artistic visions,” Chung said. “[They] confidently took on each new project with optimism.”
Providing seniors with the opportunity to curate a show with their artwork is important, as it creates a powerful experience not only for the artists themselves but also for younger artists who look up to them, Chung said. Because Ramirez and Maximo took ceramics at Archer for four to five years, “Alma y Arte” showcased their growth over time and allowed them to leave a lasting legacy to inspire other students, Chung said. The experience served as a meaningful culmination of their artistic growth and commitment.
Reflecting on the exhibition, Chung hoped that the viewers would appreciate the personal narratives woven into Ramirez and Maximo’s work and the overall layout of the show.
“Ultimately, I also hope everyone sees and can appreciate all the hard work it’s taken both of them,” Chung said, “to build a body of work that is full of technical mastery and artistic themes.”
