Through the constant pressure of challenging course loads, time-consuming extracurriculars and a constantly changing social scene, most Saint Viator students find it easy to fall into a monotonous cycle: get up, go to school, go home, do homework, go to bed. However, there are some students who have found a way to break that cycle by making art. Through their craft, these students find a form of self-expression, a way to have a good time and, most importantly, a passion.

Junior Matt Wear has been taking much of his time in the past year to sit down and record music, whether it’s his own guitar instrumentals or fun collaboration projects with his friends.

“I really started putting the pieces together this past year and started forming a craft based on the experiences I’ve had and the type of music I listen to,” said Wear. “I kind of have a passion to make something from scratch that no one has ever done before.”

Wear enjoys sharing his work with friends through SoundCloud and text message.

Junior Cailyn Currie has lived much of her life making music. Having taken piano lessons from an early age, Currie has grown to love writing and performing her own pieces. Along with her show-stopping performance of her original “Today is Gonna Be Good” at last year’s Saint Viator Talent Show, she has participated in many local competitions and even won a few.

“My music is generally based on emotions,” said Currie.

Currie, along with the help of her parents, has also taken some of her work to a semi-professional level. Her single, “Too Much To Hurt Anymore,” can now be found on Spotify and iTunes for $1.99. Of course all of her impressive accomplishments have taken much effort: her songwriting process takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Of course when someone, especially a high schooler, puts out a piece of art, there is a concern about the public response.

“I seem to have positive feedback at the moment, and a lot of people seem to be able to relate to my music,” said Currie.

Junior Adam Domagala has been making electronic music on his computer for the past two years.

“I usually start with an idea,” said Domagala. “Either a hard drop needs to take place or it needs to be super calm.”

He creates the entire song (percussion, chords, the whole 9 yards) using computer equipment. Domagala is a very dedicated creator, releasing a song every three to four weeks during the school year and one to two songs a week during the summer. His SoundCloud currently has 29 tracks uploaded, with more on the way. But, of course, such a rigorous work ethic like this one must be backed up by a love for the craft.

“I am usually motivated by trying to get a certain sound,” said Domagala. “This sounds weird, but when I get that sound it brings me joy that I could make it.”

Senior Shannon Stanczak uses her spare time to make visual art, including watercolors and pencil sketches. She usually creates images based on things that interest her from nature or her own life.

“I draw animals sometimes, and in Art 2, we’re doing portraits,” said Stanczak.

Unlike complicated procedures of recording, mixing and all the other hoops that students who make music have to go through, Shannon’s process for visual art is quite simple.

“It’s first just thinking of an idea, then doing rough sketches and then putting it on paper and making the art,” she said. “I just find inspiration in a lot of different things that I see and put that into my art.”

From electronic SoundCloud music to watercolors to soulful pop ballads, students of Saint Viator find lots of different ways to express themselves through art. For anyone whose interest may have been piqued, Saint Viator offers many opportunities to get involved in the arts from the film club to the annual musical. Everyone has the ability to create. All it takes is just a little initiative, so get out there and make something.