MEL art proves successful

By Calla Mounkes

March 13, 2006

As many art forms have changed from physical forms to computer generated forms, so have the art competitions. Several creative outlets have morphed to incorporate changing technology.

On March 1, the League Art participants traveled to Rock Creek High School to take part in the League Art competition.

Each participating student entered their artwork into various categories based upon the media used in the piece. A few categories included printmaking, charcoal, pastel, graphic art, and digital photography.

While the art was being judged, the students interacted in workshops where various disciplines were taught. Some of the workshops were bookmaking, abstract drawing, photogram, and stained glass.

After the workshops wrapped up, the students were allowed to look at all the winning pieces. The winners were then announced.

Several Silver Lake High School artists received recognition for their work. Seniors Jennifer Fredrickson and Carolin Polte both placed. Fredrickson received honorable mention in acrylic painting. Polte received two honorable mentions, one for her watercolor painting and one for batik, and second place in pastel.

Carolin Polte entered this pastel work into the competition. (Photo by Hunter Bowers)

Others receiving honorable mention were junior Caitlin Grant, batik; sophomores Jessica Scarbrough, printmaking; and freshmen Gabe Battis, printmaking; Stephanie Tosh, watercolor painting; and Joseph Hockett, mixed media.

Juniors Calla Mounkes and Danielle Bulson placed in the graphic art category. Junior Joshua Kranz received third for his sculpture, and sophomore Jordan Lambert also received second place for his work in the mixed media category.

Junior Laci Reamer received second in the digital photography category. She was very surprised by the outcome.

"I thought it was awesome that I placed. I didn't even know until the next day. I was happy," said Reamer.

She described the photograph she entered into the competition of her beloved donkeys.

"It was a close-up picture of my pet donkeys. I positioned myself to capture the donkey's face in the foreground, his body in the middle ground, and another donkey smaller in the background. Then I took the picture," said Reamer.

Art teacher Kristin Herndon was satisfied with the results.

This oil painting was entered into the competition but did not place. (Photo by Hunter Bowers)

"I am very pleased with this year's outcome. Art competitions are so subjective; you just never know what to expect. There are always disappointments as well as pleasant surprises," said Herndon.

Because of the subjectivity of art, Herndon realized that there could have been varying results.

"We had several quality pastel pieces that are definitely worthy of prizes. Given three different judges, there could have been different outcomes," said Herndon .