Issaquah High School students honored their peers through artwork in an exhibition currently on display at the UpFront Gallery in Issaquah.

Senior Erina Kii was nominated by her teachers and peers as an extraordinary person – one of 13 students selected to be the inspiration for the exhibition, which was partly organized by fellow student Tasha Feng, a member of the Issaquah Arts Commission.

“It was originally inspired by Collective Memory, which is an ArtEast program that matches artists up with members of the community,” Feng said. “I talked with one of the ArtEast members, and wanted to introduce a similar program at my high school.”

Teachers recommended students in the school who stood out as particularly deserving of recognition. They were then paired with a student artist, who created the artwork using the “honoree” as inspiration.

“They were all in recognition of a graduating senior that we thought was unique in personality, or really helped the community,” Feng said.

Each artist created their piece in a medium of their choice to tell the story of the honored student.

“I was surprised when I found out,” Kii said. “I’m not usually nominated for things.”

Kii was the subject of Feng’s artwork.

“She’s a very open person and very knowledgeable,” Feng said. “She’s been to Chile, was filmed in a video to help Japanese people learn to

speak English, she’s done ballet for 7 years and writes book reviews for a newspaper. It’s amazing how much she’s done and she’s still in high school,” Feng said.

Kii has big plans for her future as well.

“I see myself as a long-term student,” Kii said. “Going to Vassar College to study philosophy, econ and Law. I just really enjoy learning.”

Art East Executive Director Karen Abel was pleased with the project.

“They approached ArtEast in October and wanted to do a similar project,” Abel said. “We were really thrilled. When we originally came up with the concept about four years ago we really hoped it would inspire something in the high schools too.”

Abel advised the students it would be a difficult undertaking.

“They just made it happen. They very, very successfully and independently drove the project forward, and it turned out great,” Abel said. “Something like this project really has to come from the heart.”

Senior Gretchen Allen, like Feng a member of the Issaquah Arts Commission and another organizer of the event, was eager to start the project at

Issaquah High School.

“We heard about the project and thought ‘wouldn’t this be cool?’” Allen said. “It was so hectic trying to get all the artists and subjects together but when everything was all set up at the opening, it was great. I thought, this is what it’s all about.”

The opening of the event was the first time many of the artist had displayed their artwork in a public show of this size.

“It was during the Art Walk, so when the opening happened so many people came out to see it,” Feng said.

The students said the Art Walk brought in a varied audience.

“It was really neat to not just see the artists and their parents – a lot of people really came out for the opening, all kinds of students

and teachers were there to support the artists,” Abel said.

The artists and honored students were at the opening to answer questions and talk about their art. They also wrote artist statements that discussed the artwork and the students that inspired it.

“The students wrote about what they learned as they went through the project,” Abel said. “I really encourage the visitors to take the extra minutes to read the artists statements. It really makes the artwork come to life.”

After the exhibition ends May 30, the artwork will be donated to the new high school building. “It’ll be like a hall of fame. I think it’ll be really cool,” Feng said.