For Berkshire junior Chidera Okeke ’26, art is more than a hobby or a subject—it’s a powerful form of self-expression and exploration. With guidance from Berkshire’s Visual Arts program, she’s learning to balance technical skills and creative freedom, a blend that has shaped her unique artistic voice. Now, in her third year of studio art and as an AP 2-D Art and Design student, Chidera reflects on her journey and how Berkshire has nurtured her growth as an artist.
From digital art to studio courses, Chidera has embraced the school’s diverse offerings. Each class provided a foundation to experiment and evolve, but she highlights one of her first self-taught projects—learning acrylic painting—as a pivotal moment. Despite challenges, she pushed through, creating a piece she still treasures. “It’s mostly flat shapes with minimal shading, but it showed me I could break through limitations,” Chidera says. The piece, a self-portrait inspired by a library scene, marks her journey from frustration to breakthrough—a testament to perseverance.
This spirit of exploration lies at the heart of Chidera’s creative process. Her ideas often start with playful “what if” questions, evolving from casual thoughts into bold works of art. “It always starts with an idea, like ‘Wouldn’t it be crazy if I…’,” she explains. These initial ideas mature into sketches, then into deeper works, showing both the skill development and conceptual depth Berkshire has helped Chidera cultivate. Teachers like Mr. Banevicius and Mr. Seelenbrandt, who guide students through museum visits and research-based projects, have helped her embrace this balance between technical aspects of art and creative expression. “Mr. Seelenbrandt often said, ‘To make art, you have to look at art,’” Chidera recalls: “though it was annoying at times, it’s true, and it has transformed my work.”
Chidera’s transition into AP Art marked another evolution in her approach to her artistic expression. As an AP student, she has faced the new challenge of creating thematic pieces that communicate more than just a visual story and convey meaning and intention. “The art I make has to tell a story and push my limits,” she shares: “AP isn’t about just making something nice; it’s about making something that matters.” This challenge has allowed Chidera to tap into critical thinking and encouraged her to view each piece as part of a larger narrative. That is the hallmark of Berkshire’s Visual Arts philosophy, which aims to enrich not only technical ability but also creative and intellectual wisdom in its students.
In a broader sense, Chidera sees art as essential to her life, a way to understand herself and the world. “Art allows me to communicate things words can’t capture,” she says, quoting Banksy to highlight art’s dual purpose: “Art is meant to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed.” For Chidera, art offers a unique lens, breaking the monotony of daily routine and fostering self-expression. Berkshire’s commitment to encouraging creativity has provided her with a space to explore complex themes and challenge her understanding of what art can be.
As Chidera looks to the future, her goals remain rooted in exploration and growth rather than external validation. She hopes “to keep making bold moves” and test new techniques, trusting that each piece will contribute to her journey. “Berkshire has broken me out of my artistic shell,” Chidera reflects, recognizing the program’s impact on her confidence and skill. What is her advice to fellow artists? “Art doesn’t have to be perfect… What you create is better because it’s real, and it’s yours, and that’s a beautiful thing.”
