At Whitehall High School, students regularly see artwork from local artists being displayed in the Zephyr Gallery. Last month, they enjoyed the quick and elegant paintings of David Lee, an accomplished full-time artist from Whitehall. Earlier in the year, the gallery exhibited the street-styled works of Justin Klement, along with the oil paintings of Carol Benner.

Not only regional artists, but also the students themselves have exhibition opportunities - such as “The Healing through the Arts” exhibition with many works now on display at the Banana Factory.

This month, Whitehall will be showcasing the cultural and meaningful pieces of Jessica Bastidas, a student at Maryland Institute and College of Art and graduate of Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts. She creates her art using old wood scraps and rusted metal. Her eclectic style consists of social and cultural events, along with conveying a sense of racial experiences.

Bastidas paints with vivid colors on her assembled pieces of scrap wood and creates an image that is unique and uncommon. The nature of her artwork is a valuable feature for the Zephyr Gallery as it caters to Whitehall’s ethnically diverse student body.

Zephyr Gallery, not traditionally available to the public, will be open April 6-8 during the high school’s production of the musical “Monty Python’s Spamalot.” Doors open at 7 p.m., welcoming anyone to enjoy Bastidas’ work before the performance in the auditorium.