High school students looking for an outlet can find one in room 246 every Monday after school. On the first day of the week, the National Art Honor Society meets in this room, giving any student looking for a way to express themselves the opportunity to do so in the form of art.

National Art Honor Society, or NAHS, as it is more commonly known, is a nationally recognized art club. High school students who participate in the club have about an hour and a half to utilize the school’s art supplies and the art department’s teacher’s expertise and knowledge. Art teacher Michelle McCune sponsors NAHS and helps foster the member’s creativity and skill.

“I enjoy getting to meet a lot of students that I wouldn’t normally [get to] meet that are in other art classes,” McCune said. “And I think the camaraderie and getting together and being creative in a group [is] a lot of fun to see, and it’s really amazing, the ideas that the kids come up with.”

While Mrs. McCune and other art teachers, like Megan Clayton and Lisa Harlan, supervise the club, it remains primarily student-run. Members have the opportunity to run for office positions within the club, this includes a president, a vice president, a historian, and more. But this doesn’t mean the teachers don’t play an important role in the club. They inspire, teach, and care for all the members of NAHS. 

Although many of the students involved in the club may already have experience in art, it is not a requirement. At Francis Howell Central, the only true requirement is an interest in art. This shared interest creates a community within the club. Elaina Rainwater, a new member of National Art Honor Society, says that even in her short time in the club, this community has become one of her favorite parts.

“I really like the community. Everyone’s like, really supportive of each other. No one’s critiquing them, no one is judging them, It’s just a place to do the kind of things that you want to do, which I think is really nice,” Rainwater said.

 At the end of every year, this community hosts the Fine Arts Festival. They work with other fine arts students and teachers to create a display of their art from the whole year. This gives them a chance to showcase their favorite work and let others see what they have been working on. Young or old, there is something for everyone to love about the fine arts, and the fair gives them an opportunity to find what that is for themselves.

“I think [the Fine Arts Festival] is a really nice way to see people in the community get involved with art,” Rainwater said. “I think coming to a little club and just playing around and going to the festival is a really nice way to bring people together.”