From June 8 to June 18, art teacher Melanie Mikel took nine BVNW art students to Europe on the Artists of France and Spain trip to view different works of art in other countries, arranged by the Educational Tours. The group went to three cities, spending the first part of the trip in Paris, France, then moving on to Provence, France. They finished the trip in Barcelona, Spain.

“We definitely focus on art while we were [in Europe] so we hit a lot of museums,” Mikel said. “Just being immersed in a different culture is a learning experience.”

Junior Arden Williams was one of the students who went on the trip. Williams said she had been anticipating being a part of the experience since she first learned about it.

“I’ve always wanted to go [to Europe],” Williams said. “The trip was a chance to combine my desire to experience new culture and my love of art.”

The trip has been a tradition at Northwest for the past ten years, and it takes place every other year. Mikel and art teacher Chris LaValley are the chaperones for the Europe trips. With larger groups, both teachers go, but with smaller groups, the two alternate who accompanies the students. Mikel said she has chaperones about seven trips overall.

“I think [the trip] really helps build an appreciation for art for the rest of your life,” Mikel said. “The more art you see the more it enhances what you can bring to your own artwork.”

In order to partake in the trip, art students at Northwest must get a verbal or written invitation from an art teacher, Mikel said. Williams was invited due to her involvement in the school’s art program, as well as showing an interest in going on the trip. Williams has been a part of the art program since freshman year.

“[Art has] always been a part of my life since I was little,” Williams said. “I was so excited to go on [the trip] and see all the different things and see all the different cities and experience the culture.”

When the group first arrived in Paris, France, Williams said she experienced an atmospheric change. To help translate with the language difference, the group director spoke French, Spanish and English.

The group has been going to Europe each year of the trip due to the great deal of Western Europe art history that students learn about in their art classes. The trip gives the students a glimpse at their place in the world, Mikel said.

“These trips are just an excellent way to get a bigger view of the world, the world is so big,” Mikel said. “It gives you a different perspective that I think follows you through.”

The groups traveled with students from three other schools from around the United States. There were approximately forty students overall, but only nine came from BVNW. Due to the smaller group, the students seemed to get along well on the trip, Mikel said.

“We got to branch out and meet new people,” Williams said. “It was nice because we were all on the same boat.”

According to Mikel, the trip takes what the students learn in class and enhances it by actually seeing it in person, making it an incredible experience.

“Standing in front of something just takes it to a whole new level,” Mikel said. “After studying it for so long it just takes your breath away.”