VPAA’s art strand held its annual Raku- B Que on March 14, 2025, an event to showcase the various fine arts and crafts made by student artists. The art show was held in the gymnasium and cafeteria, with general admission costing five dollars and an additional twelve dollars for the barbeque dinner.
This was the 15th year for the Raku- B Que. The event took place in the gymnasium and consisted of silent auction tables, raffle prizes, the art exhibition, pottery wheel demos, and the art strand’s booths, which included the clay play and coloring stations, printmaking station, spiritwear/ student art stand, and the “Why The Arts Matter” canvas piece.
The “Why The Arts Matter” is an interactive community canvas that showcases the many reasons people believe art is important: anyone is allowed to contribute to the piece.
The main event, the Raku Fire, was held in intervals throughout the event.
“Traditionally, [the Raku Fire is] a Japanese firing process; however, our version involves heating up the glazed ceramic sculpture to 1800-1850 degrees, removing nine of them from the kiln at the peak temperature, and then placing them in bins of combustible materials where they will burn and reduce until cool enough to remove,” said art teacher Melissa Schappell.
All forms of art are displayed in gymnasium and the cafeteria.
“The art show has 2D, 3D, and digital works on display. Students are able to select their own artwork that they want to be displayed and all students are represented,” said Schappell.
Senior Tiana Esteban had her senior thesis sculpture and a print of a digital piece showcased in Raku- B Que’s art exhibition.
Most of the event was run by VPAA Art Strand students.
“[I ran the] printmaking [booth],” said sophomore Li Reyes. “Printmaking is an art medium where one uses a photosensitive screen, burning an image into it to make it a ‘stencil’ of sorts. Ink is then pushed through this stencil with a squeegee to produce a print. We offered a wide variety of prints to attendants, who could try the medium out themselves with personalized ink colors.”
Esteban also helped run the printmaking booth.
“My favorite part is introducing people to different mediums such as screen printing and ceramics. Giving demos is always fun,” said Esteban.
Food was made and catered by Culinary Teacher Chef Shirley Vouladakis and her culinary class. It was served in the cafeteria next to the 3D art pieces. The barbeque dinner was enjoyed by all, bringing attendees together.
“There was a large variety of foods themed in the style of a barbeque. There was additionally a large platter of dessert foods choose from,to” said Reyes. “I made plates for my parents, which included foods such as green bean salad, macaroni and cheese, cornbread muffins, pie (for pie day), pulled chicken, etc.”
The proceeds from the silent auction tables and the student art stand go to the Visual Art Strand to purchase items for the students to use in classes. Last year, the raised money was used to purchase a printmaking press. The academy hopes to use the funds to upgrade their fiber art and exhibition materials this year.
There was a great turn out to this year’s Raku- B Que. As the next one approaches, make sure to purchase a ticket and support the arts!
