Currently, there are 405 different species of birds that are threatened by climate change.
Senior Eden Smith focuses on bringing light to the effects that climate change has on our world by creating art that features animals who have been affected.
Smith first started taking art seriously in the summer of 7th grade when she moved to Brookline. Art helped ease her transition into the new community.
“I didn’t really know anyone, so art was a way to spend time and connect with people once I started school,” Smith said.
Smith credits her mom and teachers for pushing her to be a better artist and fostering her love for art.
“My mom was an artist, so she’s been there my whole life just inspiring me, as well as all the teachers here who have been pushing me to improve and to become a better artist,” Smith said.
Smith has taken many different art classes at the high school such as Ceramics I and Comic Books 101, but her favorite art class has been Drawing for Understanding in Field Science. Smith loved this course because of how it brought together science and art, two of her favorite subjects.

During this course, art teacher Donna Sartanowicz became aware of Smith’s great curiosity and love for all aspects of nature.
“A lot of the work that we did was around plants, animals and nature in general, and she showed a real love and real curiosity for that natural world,” Sartanowicz said.
Sartanowicz, whom Smith now has for AP Art and Design, was also impressed by the emotion Smith brings to her artwork.
“She seems really joyful to me, and she seems to enjoy learning. She pursues challenges for their own, and the reward’s inherent in the work,” Sartanowicz said, “She’s not working for a grade; she’s working because she loves doing it, and I think that that shows.”

Sartanowicz was also impressed by Smith’s ability to bring humor into her artwork.

“Humor is a really sophisticated way of thinking about things and not a lot of people when they’re studying art, especially when in AP, use it. They’re so serious, but I think she likes to bring some fun and that’s a good thing,” Sartanowicz said. “She often offers a really interesting and unique perspective. It comes at you sideways and then you’re like, ‘Oh my goodness.’”
One of Smith’s classmates, senior Alexander Bondaryk, sees the same humor in Smith’s work.
“I think she just brings humor to her art. It’s a very interesting look that is often nature focused, but she is playing with that in a fun way,” Bondaryk said.
Although Smith is not going to college for art, she believes art is a tool that she can carry with her for the rest of her life.
“I feel like everyone should be able to make art a hobby and it doesn’t always have to lead to going into a museum.”