Ocean Springs High School seniors Nora Ryan and Emersyn Blake are spending part of their summer transforming galleries for the Wide Horizons exhibition at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Mississippi. Working alongside resident artist and curator Antonia Zennaro, the students are learning exhibition curation—from organizing chaos to installing artwork—while creating pieces that address environmental themes like pollution and hope.
This story matters because it highlights a unique educational program that blends environmental education with hands-on art curation, giving high school students real-world experience in museum work. Unlike typical art-making camps, Wide Horizons asks students to think like curators, learning how to display others' artwork, which fosters critical thinking and professional skills that extend beyond the classroom.