A controversy is growing at a west suburban high school after a student says two of her artwork pieces were removed from a major school exhibition for being “too political” and “too violent.”
Mariana Ramirez, a senior at Morton West High School in Berwyn, says she submitted five pieces to the school’s annual spring art show. Despite being on display for weeks, two were taken down by administrators hours before the exhibition opened to the public, she said.
One of the pieces depicted immigration enforcement, while the other focused on women’s reproductive rights, she said.
“I knew that my artwork was very controversial, but I never expected my school to do something like this,” said Ramirez.
Artwork removed at last minute
According to Ramirez, both pieces had already been displayed inside the school for about a month without issue. She says the decision to remove them came the day of the exhibition, after administrators reviewed the work.
“I was informed… that my work had been taken down by administration because it was too violent and it wasn’t appropriate,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez’s Emmanuel brother said the decision is upsetting and reflects broader concerns about student expression.
“I’m very upset. It’s deeply disturbing… it’s reflective of the pain and the lived experience of these students and our communities,” he said.
In a social media post, Berwyn 5th Ward Alderman Robert Pabon also voiced concern, calling for transparency from school leadership.
“I think public comment is a really important part of local democracy… people in the community want answers,” the post said. Pabon also encouraged residents to attend an upcoming school board meeting on May 13 to raise concerns.
Student removes entire display in protest
Ramirez says in response, she chose to remove the rest of her artwork from the exhibition. Her portfolio focused on human rights themes, including access to women’s healthcare and the impact of immigration enforcement on communities.
“I did pull all my artwork to make a statement… you can’t have beauty without the reality of what many people face,” she said.
She says she has still not received a clear explanation from school administrators.
In a statement sent to NBC 5, J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 Superintendent Michael Kuzniewski, said all artwork in the exhibition is reviewed to ensure it meets school standards.
Kuzniewski said pieces that depict or promote violence, nudity, illegal activity, or “graphic content” may be excluded from school-sponsored displays.
He added the district considers “the diverse perspectives of its student audience,” particularly when artwork addresses sensitive or politically controversial topics, and noted that school exhibitions do not endorse specific viewpoints.
Kuzniewski said decisions are guided by “legitimate pedagogical considerations” and are intended to maintain an environment that is “respectful, inclusive, and academically appropriate.”
