Exhibit at The Artist Studio inspired by teachers

Almost everyone can point to a teacher who changed their view or inspired them.

Judy Barks-Westrich decided to highlight this relationship in an art show titled "My Teachers, My Students and My Self" this month at The Artist Studio. The show will showcase one piece of art each from three of her teachers, three of her students and her portfolio. The exhibition also celebrates The Artist Studio's seven-year anniversary.

"All teachers have an impact on their students, particularly those who share your passion," she said.

Barks-Westrich was an art teacher for 39 years and retired in 2011. She spent her first 23 years teaching in Sikeston, Mo., and then went to Cape Girardeau Central High School for the remaining 16 years. She said she believes art teachers and art classes can apply to almost any profession or life path.

"With the connection made in the classroom, they can have an impact on the rest of their students' lives whether in a professional way or in developing their talents," she said.

For the show, she invited influential teachers from her past and students whom she connected with in her classroom.

Barks-Westrich included Herb Wickham, her art teacher at Jackson High School; Sam Bishop and Edwin Smith, both art professors from Southeast Missouri State University. Barks-Westrich said she found all three to be examples of both an art teacher and mentor.

Wickham became interested in and then majored in art when he became an assistant to an art professor while playing football in college at Southeast Missouri State University. He chose to teach high school art.

"Everyone is an artist in elementary school," he said. "When they hit high school and take art I if they get interested in it, it takes them over." Wickham does "paintings of old broken down stuff found in the country."

He said art class can teach something to anyone, regardless of their talent level.

"Either they become respected artists or they know what to look at and how to appreciate what they see," Wickham said.

Barks-Westrich's past students in the show this weekend are Myka Bohnsack, Kasper Woldtvedt and Ryan Hammond.

Bohnsack, who was a student of Barks-Westrich for three years, will show a painting she did in college.

"Judy has always been inspirational as a talented artist, teacher and mentor," she said. "In high school, I knew early on that I wanted to be an art major in college. I could always count on Judy to give me an honest opinion and constructive criticism on any project that I was involved with."

Woldvedt was in Barks-Westrich's class for four years. Initially, she wanted a different teacher, but Barks-Westrich's class fit her schedule.

"Some people call that fate. I am not sure about that, but I can tell you two things I am sure of: I was initially scared of her and she ended up changing my life," Woldvedt said. "She always had our best interest at heart. She is just as much a student as she is a teacher. There is no greater gift than someone who believes in you and encourages you to be you."

Kasper plans to display an artist's book she has created.

Hammond had Barks-Westrich for five years. He came to the high school to take class with her while he was still in middle school. Hammond said the teacher helped him shape his view of the world and understand his "position within it."

She "always pushed me to look beyond traditional painting and drawing, and experiment with materials that wouldn't necessarily be found in an art supply store. Because of this, everything around me became something that I could modify, mess with and transform," he said. "I never would've gotten as far as I have if she hadn't pushed me to experiment and work in an interdisciplinary way."

Hammond will show an acrylic painting from his junior year in high school.

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