GTHS Makes Monsters

GRAND TERRACE>> Guillermo del Toro, famous director, screenwriter, producer and novelist, is credited with creating some of the most memorizing fairy tale creatures along with some of the most terrifying monsters. He is the inspiration behind Grand Terrace High School's latest artistic project that makes nightmares come to life. The project was a collaborative effort by Patricia Hughes, Colton High School teacher, and Sheila Comerford, Grand Terrace High School Teacher. After reading a review about the Del Toro Exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the teachers hoped to take students on a field trip to see the exhibit. When that didn’t work out they instead planned to use Del Toro’s films as a visual text for students to study. Students studied the design and concept of his monsters, reading interviews and watching clips on how he made his first “werewolf” monster. “We believe that it is important for students to see many examples of cultural diversity and mediums that demonstrate real world applications and careers in the arts,” Comerford said. Comerford stated that Del Toro’s work exemplifies how a student who feels “like an outsider” can take his ideas, cultural background, beliefs, love of monsters and creative thinking to becoming successful. Students were asked to analyze in depth the design of Del Toro’s monsters to help inspire their own creations. Students mimicked the process Del Toro used for his first monster creation, and soon the classroom would become a “mini-monster-making factory” as student started to “Frankenstein” their own monsters. “This project was more fun than I thought it would be. I enjoyed learning about Guillermo del Toro through his film since we couldn’t go to the exhibit,” said Kya Gonzales, Grand Terrace High School student. “I was also pleased that my monster made it into the GTHS Art Gallery and excited that so many people have gone to see it.” The monster creations were on display at the GTHS Art Gallery at Grand Terrace High School, where the lighting and display walls add a sense of professionalism and authenticity, Comerford said. “I really enjoyed doing this because I learned about an artist from culture and my heritage, I can relate and look up to him,” said Jayden Cazales, Grand Terrace High School student. Comerford said she finds the arts show to be a success and hopes a few of her students will allow her to keep some of their monsters. Some of the students' work will be going on to the Pencil, Pen, & Brush District Art Competition.