2/14/08

Art event showcases talented local students

by Beckye Randall

The Arts Council of Snohomish County recently hosted an exhibit and awards presentation that celebrated the Scholastic Art Awards of 2008. Works by several north Snohomish County students were selected for prestigious Gold Key and Silver Key awards.

The Scholastic Art Awards program gives thousands of students throughout America the opportunity to broaden their creative horizons while earning local and national recognition. According to Nancy Bell, education director for the Snohomish County Arts Council, “The objective is to foster the confidence of young artists and give them the opportunity to be recognized for their creative achievements by the world at large.”

The Scholastic Awards were founded in 1923, and have become the nation’s largest and longest-running program of its kind. Student artwork categories include drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, sculpture, computer art, graphic design and mixed media.

The local event, held in early February, is the only sponsored regional exhibit in Washington state, although students from other areas may submit works to the national organization as a Region-At-Large entry. Gold Key winners from Snohomish County will also be forwarded to the national competition.

To solicit entries for the awards, Bell contacts all teachers in the county by mail or e-mail. Her goal is to reach junior high and high school students in public and private schools, academies and homeschools. Each teacher can submit ten pieces for the juried competition.

Of the works awarded Gold Key status, five are chosen as American Vision Best of Show recipients. Stanwood High School students Heather Carlson and Esther Bowman joined students from Cascade, Kamiak and Snohomish high schools in the American Vision category.

One student is also selected to receive the Susan Jane Russell Art Scholarship. This year’s scholarship winner is Alli Curtis, a senior at Stanwood High School.

North Snohomish County students receiving Silver Key awards include: Sam Atwood, Siri Collins and Jeshua Dutter from Arlington High School; Renee' Beasley and Ryan Shay from Marysville Arts & Technology High School; Eddie Baronia, Jr., Ashley Berger, Trinda Berlin, Lynee Brown, Hannah Coy, Katie Hereth, Erica Hylback, Jose Juarez, Kristeen Juarez, Colleen Mack, Ashley Murphy, Raquel Perez, Jade Thompson, Jarin Troxel and Rachel Wheeler from Marysville-Pilchuck High School; Licett Aviles (3), Jennifer Bales, Nick Bear, Esther Bowman, Heather Carlson, Alli Curtis (4), Tyler Erickson, Sydney Fisher (2), Michelle Huber, Rebecca Klempel, Kyle Meyer (2), Ashley Ryan and Colton Sanford from Stanwood High School; Stephanie Hampton, Samantha Sjogren and Caitlin Weisinger from Stanwood Middle School; and Caryle Embring, Corey Embring and Alyssa Ledbetter from Stillagaumish Valley School.

Gold Key winners from our area include: Curtis Fernelius, Elizabeth Grover (2), Kellyann Johnson, Vadim Kulchitskiy, Jarin Troxel (2) and Kristen Wilander from M-PHS; Nick Bear (2), Heather Carlson, Alli Curtis (2), Gabe Herigstad, Sarahann Jackson, Kyle Luck, Annelise Osterberg, Kalie Presteen and Andrew Widen from Stanwood High School; Samantha Shablo from Stanwood Middle School; and Corey Embring from Stillaguamish Valley School.

Photo captions: (From top) Striped Doughnut by Lynee Brown, M-PHS; Self-Portrait by Rachel Wheeler, M-PHS; Faucet by Jarin Troxel, M-PHS; Ethnic Coil Vase by Ashley Berger, M-PHS