Masuk Free Press

Another win for the art kids with this week’s field trip to Sacred Heart University. 

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, a free trip to Sacred Heart University’s art collection was held. This field trip is not new to the school; it’s a recurring one. 

“We’ve been going to Sacred Heart for some years now. And the connection that I have with my professor allows us to apply for a grant for the bus, and we are one of the local schools that have been participating. So I don’t ever want to miss a chance.” Said Mrs. Gagnon, who’s in charge of this field trip.

The trip was not only a great opportunity to see fantastic art pieces but also to experience a college campus. 

“I like to think that you guys should be exposed to any college campus before you even go to see college, go on college visits, or if you’ve already done it, you know, it brings a different perspective.” Said Mr. Gagnon. 

At 8:30, all students were accounted for in the school lobby, and at 8:35, the bus left for the University. Once arrived at the location, students were given the choice to either go right into the building to view the art displayed with Mrs. Moraniec or first go for a walk around the perimeter of the campus with Mrs. Gagnon.

  Much art was displayed in a small portion of the school, and on the walls hung illustrations and paintings, each with a small tag next to the piece listing the creator and the artwork’s name. There were original characters, portraits of real people, fan art of existing characters, even graphic design pieces, and screens displaying students’ animations. 

“I really liked seeing all the different art pieces. Um, I like to believe that each art piece has its own meaning, so being able to see all the different pieces was really interesting, and honestly, it helped me see how artists express their ideas through their works,” says senior at Masuk, Jimmy Bender.

From that point on until around 10:15, students were permitted to roam the campus and explore, stopping to get food at the cafeteria or coffee or vending machine snacks. Most students spent a lot of time waiting in line for a Starbucks drink. 

“It’s an opportunity to see an artist in residence who is currently working on art. And maybe giving you some perspective on what’s being created right now. And… It’s a job, so it’s really fun to see a working artist.” Says Mrs. Gagnon.

At 10:30, the presentation hosted by Andy Jenkins, a mixed-media artist, began. The presentation lasted around an hour with helpful images and videos for the audience to view and enjoy. 

“The experiences that he had were really awesome to hear about,” says junior at Masuk, Kassandra Ogando.

Andy went through his early childhood and developed an interest in BMX racing and skateboarding. He spoke of how he’d moved a lot as a kid and never really fit in with other kids at school because of his hobbies and interest in art. He told of how he’d worked on designs for magazines and skateboards, and on videos about BMX races and with bands; how he’s always working on new art projects, even attempting to pitch his ideas to companies like Vans. 

  “I thought that what he had to say was important to artists,” says junior at Masuk Keira Rowley.

The students arrived back at Masuk around 12:40. All in all, the field trip was very successful, and the students reported having a great experience, enjoying the art, exploring the campus, and learning from the educational presentation.