Southwest Washington students win top awards at State Art Show
Three students from Southwest Washington took top honors at the 33rd Annual Superintendent's Art Show.
This year's theme was "Art for All - All for Art." State Superintendent Terry Bergeson hosted a reception in the Old Capitol Building in Olympia May 19 to celebrate and honor the 106 high school artists whose work was selected for statewide competition. Nine Washington high school art students were formally recognized as winners of the statewide competition.
Bergeson said the art show reception provides a nice close to Arts Education Week in Washington state. "I really enjoy the opportunity to welcome the student artists, their families and teachers to OSPI and help celebrate the role of the arts as a core subject area in our schools," she said. "As always, we have some talented up-and-coming artists in this year's show, and I'm very pleased to welcome the public to our building to experience student art at its best."
Student artists were invited to participate in regional art shows held by the nine Educational Service District offices (ESDs) and Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center for the NCESD 171. The Regional Winners from each ESD were then submitted to OSPI for state competition. Judges representing several arts and education organizations selected five of the state award winners. The other four were selected by the State Board of Education, the Washington Art Education Association (1) and OSPI (2), including the annual "Staff Choice" and Bergeson's pick for "Superintendent's Choice."
The Washington Art Education Association (WAEA) presented its 10th Annual Art Education Tribute Award to Washington Mutual Bank, for their strong advocacy for arts education in Washington. This award recognizes individuals, advocates, educators, and businesses that have made considerable contributions in the state towards arts education.
Jurors for the art show came from the Washington Art Education Association, Washington State Arts Commission, Washington State School Directors' Association, Olympia Arts Commission, Evergreen State College, ArtsEdWA, and local Olympia artists.
Each of the nine winning selections will be purchased by OSPI and included in the permanent art collection displayed OSPI.
Jury Choice Awards- Amy Huang, ESD 112 - "Figure in Texture" Teacher: Margaret Hunter, Mountain View High School; Justin Miller, ESD 112 - "Hero" Teacher: Carol Groenevelt, Fort Vancouver High School; Sean Montplaisir, Puget Sound ESD 121 - "Mixed Inheritance" Teacher: Luke Helling-Christy, Bonney Lake High School; Sean Washington, Puget Sound ESD 121 - "23 Friends and I" Teacher: Candace Loring, Emerald Ridge High School; Emily Weeks, ESD 113 - "Trapped Child With Her Lonely Reflection" Teacher: Alison Clinton, WF West High School.
Fifth Annual State Board of Education Award: Sonia De La Rosa, ESD 105 - "Fat Cat" Teacher: Michael Holmes, Royal High School
OSPI Staff Choice Award: Rachel Berry, ESD 113 - "Personification of Nature" Teacher: Larry Freemantle, Olympia High School
Tenth Annual Washington Arts Education Association (WAEA) Education Tribute Award: Kayla Sheeley, North Central ESD 171 - "Self-Portrait" Teacher: Dennis Conger, Omak High School
Superintendent's Award - Presented by Dr. Terry Bergeson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Recipient: Felicia Sieler, ESD 112 - "Discovering Color" Teacher: Carol Wild, Columbia High School.
Pictured: Felicia Sieler, a student at Columbia High School in White Salmon Valley School District, explains the inspiration for her artwork to OSPI Superintendent Dr. Terry Bergeson. Felicia's artwork received the Superintendent's Choice Award.