High school can be a cumbersome time for teenagers desperately trying to find their identity in a sea of people and classes. The process of self-discovery often involves experimenting with new ideas and hobbies like sports, video games, clubs, and for many, the arts. The adults and mentors that guide these students are vital. When it comes to the educators who lead the art community at Boulder High, there are two new additions to the team this year: Ms. Merry Wilson and Dr. Melissa Lobpries. As staff who teach many students at BHS, a proper introduction is due.
Merry Wilson -the new Drawing and Painting, Portfolio, and AP Art and Design teacher- sat down to talk about the excitement she feels for the new school year. Teaching at a High School level is a new experience for Wilson, but she has years of experience and enough enthusiasm to lift the spirits of anyone who walks into room 1510.
In describing how she found her passion for art and education, Wilson explains that her first exposure to teaching was through her mother. Recalling her work with young kids in her mother’s kindergarten classroom, Wilson did not have the fondest memories, “I don’t think kindergarten was ever gonna be for me. Like the level of patience that you need for that age is just a different level.” Even into her teen years, her disdain grew for the potential of choosing the same career path as her mom.
However, Wilson’s attitude shifted in college: “I took an education class at CSU and just absolutely loved it, completely turned my mind around about the idea of teaching…” which in turn led her to be with us at BHS today, along with her passion for art, of course.
As an artist Wilson does not only dabble in painting and drawing, she also has experience in abstract stone sculpture, “A lot of my family came from Italy, and I come from a long line of stonemasons from Italy.” Her aunt introduced stone sculpture to Wilson and she has embraced the media ever since.
Above all else, Wilson takes the greatest interest in caring for her students and the work they generate, “The students who create here are just phenomenal artists.”
The other new addition to the BHS Art Department, Melissa Lobpries, can be found on and off in the photo or the drawing & painting room. She previously taught in Texas but loves the Boulder locality and everything that Colorado has to offer. She is community and student-focused and cannot wait to see the impact that she and her students make in the world.
Lobpries opened by emphasizing how she hopes to create an environment for her students that fosters creativity and safety, “Towards students, to know that I want them to communicate with me, they can come to me, to tell me things and that it’s a safe space in the art classroom.” Having close relationships with her former students in Texas, creating that same space here is important to Lobpries.
Lobpries’ passion can be seen in her art as well, as it spans many mediums and styles. She experiments with wood sculpture, photography, collage, drawing, and painting.
Specifically, she highlighted pen drawings and an affection for black & white color schemes, “I didn’t realize it I guess until I got older, but I think I got that from my mom because that was her favorite colors.”
Lobpries describes the subject matter of her pieces as, “An overarching nature thing.” Nature stands out as a clear connection between her art and her values as a teacher. Lobpries wants to highlight the impact she wishes to see with her students, “Y’all are the future,” Lobpries notes as part of her inspiration for teaching. She hopes to see her students make change when it comes to the earth, the things we have, and generally spreading positivity.
But most importantly the two new art teachers share a common interest: Henry Cavil. Both mention him as a current celebrity crush and they have a similar appreciation for him in The Witcher.
