50+ Snohomish students recognized for their art!
Jake Anderson’s artwork was the outcome of an 8th grade English assignment: make a sculpture that represents a verb. For “Wrinkle,” Jake stiffened a white t-shirt with glue and mounted it on metal shaped like an iron. Valley View Middle School art teacher Mike Kelly submitted it to the 2010 Scholastic Art Awards.
Jake received a gold key at the Snohomish County Scholastic Art Awards in February, and has recently received a gold key for the National Scholastic Art Awards. “Wrinkle” is one of just 11 entries to be selected for national awards, and one of four whose work will be displayed in New York. Jake will also be invited to a ceremony to be held in Carnegie Hall later this year.
All 503 entries from across the county were displayed at the Historic Monte Cristo Hotel in Everett. “It was really neat to see all the other works,” says Jake. “I was really surprised to get a gold key out of so many people’s art work.”
Bianka Austin, a
sophomore at Glacier Peak High School, received gold keys for two pieces in the county awards, “Anabelle Lee” and “Pathway.” Bianka says, “I got serious about art when I was 9 and have been working as hard as I can.” An older friend mentored her in the early years. She has been learning more about figure studies, the use of light and shadow, and still life this year in school and plans to take AP art in her junior and senior years.
Glacier Peak art teacher Cathy Tanasse says, “It is wonderful for students to have their work up in a real gallery, with a real opening. It makes them start to see themselves differently.”
Nancy Bell, Education Director of the Arts Council of Snohomish County, concurs. “We limit each art teacher to 10 entries. If a student is chosen, they are already a winner. Our philosophy is that every piece gets exhibited, and it’s a community event.” The Scholastic Art Awards were founded in 1923 to foster the confidence of young artists and give them the opportunity to be recognized for their creative achievements.
Earning the recognition for her art has had a big impact on Bianka, “It makes me feel confident about my skills and that others appreciate what I do. And it gives me an advantage when I submit my portfolio to college.”
Jake and Bianka are only two of many to be recognized for their talent in the recent regional Scholastic art awards. Over 50 students from middle and high schools in Snohomish received awards ranging from gold keys to honorable mention in the competition. See list of students.
Two Glacier Peak students were winners in the Education Service District 189 juried High School Art Show. Irina Savin’s color pencil drawing, “Communist Panda,” and Brandon Ringstad’s pencil drawing, “K Pod” have been selected for the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s 37th Annual High School Art Show to run April 6 – June 4 in Olympia. They will also participate in the Skagit Art Association’s “Pickle Barn” show in the Cascade Mall in Burlington, April 6 – 25.
Approximately 750-800 high school students enrolled in all types of art-making in our district’s high schools. Snohomish High art teacher Kate Obukowicz comments, “We offer a wide range of classes, and they all prepare for either a career outside of high school or the next step to a university of training program.” Obukowicz adds that guest speakers from all the local art schools are invited to school to talk to students. Class offerings range from photography and digital arts to ceramics, drawing, and painting. Students can take four years of drawing and painting in high school.
Snohomish students will have another opportunity to exhibit their works at the Night of the Arts at Glacier Peak May 25 and Snohomish May 27. Art work from the elementary and middle schools will also be exhibited.