By Abby Whelan ’13, Staff Writer

Some may say that the best approach we can take to the new school year is to make time to stop and organize our thoughts. What are our goals, our opinions, and how do we put our thoughts into action? Rachel Schragis, the artist and creator of the current gallery show, offers some insight through a very unique way of putting her thoughts into action: she designs flowcharts. Her ideas have sparked conversation throughout the Newark Academy community with her colorful, loud artwork that captures the essence of “the thought-process.” I sat down with Ms. Schragis and talked about her current show, State the Problem: Art for Making Meaning, in order to better understand the concepts and questions that she believes are important to ask ourselves.

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Abby Whelan: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Rachel Schragis: Well, I’m from the Bronx, and I attended a private school very similar to Newark Academy for high school. I went to Bard College and studied art. Currently, I live in New York and work with schools, specifically talking about community artwork.

AW: How and when did you decide to be an artist?

RS: I actually decided I wanted to be an artist when I was around your age, in high school. I originally was in a theater class and part of the improv troupe, but towards 10^th and 11^th grade, I began to spend more and more time in the art studio. I did some independent studies and decided that this was what I really wanted to do. My high school art teacher kind of took me under her wing and was very influential on my decision. My improv coach in high school also helped me to be confident enough in myself to do work based around my opinions.

AW: How would you describe your specific style of art?

RS: This exhibit shows how I am using artwork as a form of communication. My artwork is intentionally about big ideas, and I express these ideas through organized thoughts. Through my flowcharts, I am able to use the art to express my views on the modern society. When I make this type of art, I feel as though I am being connected to the question of “how can the world be better”.  One of the artists that have inspired me to do this type of work, especially for my garbage collection, was Thomas Hirschorn.

AW: Which piece is your favorite in the exhibit?

RS: The garbage collection for me was very special. I had never been able to spend so much time just working on this one project, and the size of the project was also different from anything else I’ve done. It was a very personal project for me, and I feel as though this project truly spoke to the theme of this exhibit “everything is connected.” If I had more time and could go back to that project, there are even more things I would have love to add to express the crowded, claustrophobic feel of the piece.

AW: As a younger artist, what are some decisions that still may be unsolved for you as you continue to make art?

RS: Well, as of right now, I am lucky that it is clear that activist work is the right thing for me! I am truly working on my art communicating the aesthetic of urgency, as displayed in the garbage piece. In some of my pieces, I have used color to organize my thoughts, although in general, color is still an unsolved question for me. Also, I have had conflicts in the past as to what is public and what is not in some of my more personal pieces.

AW: Are there any pieces of advice you would like to give to us high school students as we begin a new school year?

RS: I think the best thing I could say would be to do what makes you happy!

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After listening to Rachel Schragis, what we can take away is this: that which at first seemed overwhelming and difficult for many to understand is now explained. I personally am able to respect and admire the flowcharts even more, specifically, the flowchart still in progress on the closest left wall: “Why is this year important?” Her idea for the flowchart was to connect the entire community just as she connects her own ideas together.  Rachel Schragis introduces to us a fresh perspective, and by organizing all of these thoughts like hers, we may be able to better understand our own goals and opinions for this year. Make sure that you take the time to visit the gallery and truly get a taste for all that she has to offer us this September!

For more information on Rachel Schragis, visit her website here: http://www.rachelschragis.com/pages/home.html