* Disclaimer: Student reporter Carolina Alcantara received a Silver Key for their work for the Scholastic Arts & Writing competition, and reporter Brianna Huerta had her work displayed at the Illinois High School Art Exhibit, but neither was involved in the creation of this article.
Students from OH who participated in and won awards through the Scholastic Arts & Writing competition saw their artwork displayed at Downers Grove High School from Jan. 28 to Feb. 3. In addition to having their art displayed, many were in the annual Illinois High School Art Exhibition held by ArtConnectED. Senior artists also received scholarships amounting to over 2.5 million dollars in total from ArtConnected.
“For me, the Golden Key means not just getting an award but something that helps me feel much more confident in myself,” said OH senior and Golden Key winner Shyann Beasley. “[The inspiration for my art] was my idea of what I wanted to do. I wanted to try something very challenging like painting on glass and even doing layered glass.”
Each art piece displayed the students’ passions, their beliefs, and even things that fascinate them.
“I wanted to create a fallen angel piece,” said OH senior and Silver Key winner Jay Dove. “It’s meaningful to me because it relates to how I felt falling from that platform of being an honors kid. It connects to the fall of Lucifer and how he used to be God’s favorite but then fell.”
There is some overlap between the Scholastic Key winners and the participants in the Illinois High School Art Exhibit competition. Students, such as Beasley, have shared their excitement to have been chosen for such an incredible challenge.
“It’s a very tough [competition],” said OH art teacher and Fine Arts Department Chair Michael Skura. “There are limited slots [available] for art teachers to place pieces in, it has to be very strategic.”
Several of the winners of these competitions take an art class at OH, usually an AP one. During these classes, students will dedicate themselves to creating a portfolio of assorted works during their school year. During these classes, the art teachers have an opportunity to see the students’ talent and dedication and inform them of opportunities.
“It’s an incredible honor to have earned this award. It makes my younger self proud of who I am now,” said Dove. “My [art] teacher last year, [Daniel] Whipple, told me about it. But this year Mr. Skura encouraged me to enter as many pieces as I could.”
All students had to select a teacher if they created their artwork in a classroom. Skura was one of the many teachers.
“Teachers invite AP Studio [students] first in September, [we] show them past winners and the legacy of OH students,” said Skura. “[We try to] to propose and never impose.”
Hello, I'm Gianna! This is my second year on staff, now as a senior in high school. I'm the head of the News and Artwork sections. I'm currently in Color Guard, B.I.O.N.I.C, NAHS, NEHS, Quill & Scroll Honors Society, and Senior Class Council!
absolutely amazing! Such talented writing. SO proud of everyone who participated.
[…] This photo essay showcases the work and awards of OH student artists at the Illinois High School Art Exhibit (IHSAE). For more information about the individual works of art, student awards, and the event, please see 42Fifty’s accompanying News article. […]