The art works of 38 of Westminster High School’s best artists are available for viewing during the next two weeks of the annual IB Art Show.

The paintings, which cover many different techniques and styles, are hanging in a temporary gallery on the second floor of the high school. The show runs through March 19.

Jose Cuevas Raya is one of the students whose work is on display.

“I remember that one of the first things I liked to do was draw,” he said, as he was hanging his work in the gallery earlier this week. In fact, one of his works is a self-portrait as a youngster.

This is the first time he has shared his work with the general public, but he says he’s not nervous about the reaction. “I see art as an expression of my opinion, so I’m not too worried about what other people think.”

Hue Phang admits she took the art class because she thought it would be a nice break from her busy school schedule. She discovered it was actually a lot of hard work, and learned that she has artistic talent she never knew existed. “I’m really proud, and I want people to see how I have grown,” she said.

As part of the International Baccalaureate program, the students are required to submit an electronic portfolio of their work and a video-taped statement about their approach to their art. It covers their work over the last year and a half.

Art teacher Mark Kreger says the IB Art Program is valuable to all students, whether they plan to make a career out of art or only view it as a hobby. He said, “the program insists that students push themselves to find meaning in their work.”

He calls the art classes life changing. “I believe that the way they look at art will be forever changed.”