Lucas Greene Barrios (I) has always loved to draw. He has a passion for art and for animals, and has used that passion to create drawings that bring creatures to life. The Boston Latin School arts program has helped him find his voice as an artist through both in-school classes and afterschool programs such as the Thursday Club.
During lockdown, Greene Barrios dove into his craft. “That was kind of what was keeping me sane,” he admits, “being kept inside all the time, not doing any activities or anything.”
This year, his work has been featured twice in the Register, BLS’s art magazine. Greene Barrios was also selected by classmates to design the senior pep rally shirt, and he was chosen to create art dividers for the Class of 2026 yearbook.
He is working on several projects, all starring animals. First, he has been creating a conceptual art series investigating evolution by looking at extinct animals. BLS art teacher Mr. Stephen Harris, who is one of Greene Barrios’s mentors, comments, “The level of detail in his work is incredible.” He is also studying marine life and analyzing how to draw it, culminating in the creation of a mobile app that helps the user identify different shark species.
Greene Barrios went on the BLS trip to Kenya this year and was deeply inspired by the experience. He was amazed to see how animals were cared for in sanctuaries there and compared it to his own work at the Franklin Park Zoo. Before the trip, Greene Barrios wasn’t sure if he wanted to only study animals in college or also pursue art. After spending the entire trip drawing the animals, however, he became confident that he wanted to study both subjects.
Next year, Greene Barrios will continue to chase his passions at the Rhode Island School of Design. He will study animation with a concentration in nature, culture and sustainability studies. His dream is to pursue “environmental storytelling through animation,” creating his own animated show or documentary educating people about the animals he loves.
Alongside art, Greene Barrios is also a captain on the swim team. He says his sixie self never would have imagined that, but he is so glad he has had the community and the opportunity to set an example for the younger kids. He emphasizes the importance of both facets of his life: “I would always recommend submitting a portfolio of art […] to any school you apply to,” while also participating in “sports [or] just like any sense of community you [can] get.”
Greene Barrios has overall been a model of focus, balance and determination. Having taken advantage of the programs BLS has to offer, he has a clear vision of what he wants his future to be. Ms. Elizabeth Walshak, BLS art teacher and another one of Greene Barrios’s mentors, sums it up: “I have a feeling that whatever he does, he’s gonna make an impact on the community that he’s a part of. […] I don’t wanna impose my expectations on him, but I know he’s going to do a good job.”