By John Cody Treadaway, Staff Writer

Many walk through the halls of Reynolds High School and can see for themselves the great art it has to offer. These works of art, varying from painting to sculpting to photography, are what some consider the core of Reynolds, seeing how it is recognized as an arts magnet.

More artistic displays are coming. The Art Society painted a newspaper dispenser for Pine Whispers, helping both the school paper as well as club members. The first box has been placed for the summer in Student Services, which receives a large number of visitors

“I feel that this project gives the club members good, real-life experience with the design process and commercial art,” Art Society adviser Emily Beach-Munday said. “They also enjoy it, because they know it will be on display for all to see.”

Pine Whispers got its first dispenser from The High Point Enterprise, where newspaper adviser Steve Hanf worked before joining the Reynolds faculty in 2010. Art teacher Ashley Hurst said when more dispensers come in – the Greensboro News & Record has offered to supply several of its older boxes – he would like to paint them with the same colors, but in different patterns, so as to make them stand out and bring out some school pride.

“It would be interesting to see the newspaper distributed exclusively through these (eventually),” Hurst said. “That way, students could pick up the paper at their leisure and classes wouldn’t be interrupted for newspaper deliveries. With just one, it’s more like a novelty.”

As with many projects at Reynolds, these pieces of art are a pastime and a way for students to continue to express themselves in unique ways.

Reynolds photography teacher Phil Benenati said the hallway lined by album covers earlier in the spring done by the Photography I classes “is the one that many look forward to.” For almost two years, this project has been done and always seems to be a student favorite.

“It’s my favorite project. personally, because of the amount of work that goes into making them,” Benenati said. “It’s very challenging.”

There are other works hung in the hallowed halls of RJR, such as paintings done by students in the various art classes. Recent graduate Elizabeth Bell has had a few of her works displayed.

“I feel very proud about it,” Bell said.

Although the entire first floor and a few other places around campus are good showcases for the art done at Reynolds, Hurst thinks it could expand.

“It’s not enough,” Hurst said. “It would be better if we could put art on the second and third floor.”

Although student art also extends to off-campus sites, Hurst explained that “putting the art in public showcases is good, but many students don’t get to see that work.”