15th Annual Tyrone Art Show showcases artistic talent

The Tyrone fine arts department held its 15th annual TAHS Art Show on Friday April 24, 2015 in the High School Auditorium.

The show featured 91 works from students in grades seven through twelve.  This year’s show was somewhat smaller than years past, mainly due to the fact that the fine arts students devoted so much time to painting the sets for the musical “Guys and Dolls.” However, according to the teachers, students and community members in attendance, the quality of the works on display was just as high as in past years.

TAHS art teacher Mr. Eric Feather catches up with former students Sarah Parker and Mary Jo Whalen
TAHS art teacher Mr. Eric Feather catches up with former students Sarah Parker and Mary Jo Whalen

Senior Mikayla Harris took Best of Show for her painting titled “I Like Mine Rare.”  Two freshman and two seniors rounded out the top five with second place going to freshman Payton Wagner for her work titled “Ornament” and third went to fellow freshman Scotti Everhart for “Stay Whole.” Senior Davina Lee took fourth for “Eruptive Brainstorm” and senior Katie Burket took fifth for “Tapping.”

Senior Lena Walk won the Outstanding Senior Artist Award.

Mr. Eric Feather, the high school art teacher and show director, was pleased with both the quality of the art and the turnout by the public.

“I always appreciate the positive comments and emails I receive from high school staff and members of the community,” said art teacher Eric Feather, “The most common reaction I get from first time viewers of the event is ‘So these are really school students…not adult artists?’ People who see the show for the first time are blown away by the quality of the artwork. They usually think it’s an exhibition of regional artists instead of a high school exhibition.

“I also thought the turn out, especially the number of people who stayed for the awards presentation, was greater than in past years. This is very encouraging to me. There were many former students who came back to enjoy the artwork as well.  This event means so much to the participating students and parents. I hope everyone who reads this article will continue to support the annual art show,” said Feather.

The slideshow above includes every work submitted to the show, organized by class from the seniors down to the middle school students.

The works reproduced below are the winners along with a Q & A from the artist:

Mikayla Harris "I Like Mine Rare" grade 12
Mikayla Harris “I Like Mine Rare” grade 12

Best of Show: Senior Mikayla Harris for “I Like Mine Rare”

What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

 Too many scary movies

Who is your favorite artist?

Mr. Feather, he’s awesome!

What medium do you prefer to use?

Charcoal

Is there something that you discovered about art or your ability this year?

 I’m really lazy when it comes to finishing artwork

What is your reaction to being named a winner this year?

Completely surprised!

What was your personal favorite work in the show this year?

All of Emily Beam’s artwork

Payton Wagner "Ornament" grade 9
Payton Wagner “Ornament” grade 9

2nd Place: Freshman Payton Wagner for “Ornament”

What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

I took a picture of my favorite Christmas ornament and just added some other Christmas items in the picture

Who is your favorite artist?

No favorite

What medium do you prefer to use?

Graphite

Is there something that you discovered about art or your ability this year?

Yes, before this year I had no idea I had any artistic ability and with Mr. Feathers help I was able make decent art work.

What is your reaction to being named a winner this year?

I had no idea I had a chance of winning anything. I was really surprised and excited!

What was your personal favorite work in the show this year?

Vika Walk’s art

Scotti Everhart "Stay Whole" grade 9
Scotti Everhart “Stay Whole” grade 9

3rd Place: Freshman Scotti Everhart for “Stay Whole”

1.  What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

My friend Cheyenne Weaver modeled for me so that I could draw a picture conveying the effect of stress.

2.  Who is your favorite artist?

Dario Puggioni. His work is very dark and every one of his pieces hold so much emotion.

What medium do you prefer to use?

I prefer graphite or watercolor because they allow the most creativity.

Is there something that you discovered about art or your ability this year?

I have learned a lot about anatomy and drawing the human body. I have discovered that drawing anatomy can help my art technically a great deal.

What is your reaction to being named a winner this year?

I was surprised! After checking out the other pieces I didn’t think I was going to win anything.

What was your personal favorite work in the show this year?

I’d probably say Emily Beam’s painting “Dreamer” – it’s just so cool.

 

Davina Lee "Eruptive Brain Storm" grade 12
Davina Lee “Eruptive Brain Storm” grade 12

4th Place: Senior Davina Lee for “Eruptive Brainstorm”

What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

I’m not really sure. I just winged it with this one.

Who is your favorite artist?

I don’t have a preference for one specific artist, but impressionism is my favorite style.

What medium do you prefer to use?

I enjoy using watercolors and ink.

Is there something that you discovered about art or your ability this year?

I discovered my knack for portraits.

What is your reaction to being named a winner this year?

I was surprised. The piece of mine that was selected was done just for fun in a couple days, so I wasn’t expecting it to win anything.

What was your personal favorite work in the show this year?

I loved Lena Walk’s “Emily” it was unique and I also loved everything Makayla Richey did, of course!

 

Katie Burkett "Tapping" grade 12
Katie Burkett “Tapping” grade 12

5th Place: Senior Katie Burket for “Tapping”

What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

I have danced for 13 years, so I wanted to draw a picture of a dancer.

Who is your favorite artist?

I don’t have one.

What medium do you prefer to use?

I like painting the most, but I did not do any of my projects this year with paint.

Is there something that you discovered about art or your ability this year?

I was afraid that I would forget how to build up a project and complete it because I haven’t been in art since 9th grade, but I discovered that it came back to me quickly.

What is your reaction to being named a winner this year?

I wasn’t expecting to win because everybody’s artworks were so amazing, so I’m excited!

What was your personal favorite work in the show this year?

“Emily” by Lena Walk.

Lena Walk "Emily" grade 12
Lena Walk “Emily” grade 12

Outstanding Senior Artist Award and 12th Grade Merit Award: Lena Walk for “Emily”

What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

Emily Romano, who was painted on one of my pieces in a very unique way.  She is my friend so I thought that it will be cool if I painted her.

Who is your favorite artist?

Mr. Feather, because he has really unique style and his artwork has depth to it.

What medium do you prefer to use?

I like using different types of mediums, water color is my favorite at this point.

Is there something that you discovered about art or your ability this year?

I think that I can be more creative than I expect from myself, I think music and people inspire me to create cool art work.

What is your reaction to being named a winner this year?

I’m very thankful that people appreciate my art!

What was your personal favorite work in the show this year?

I think every piece of Emily Beam’s art work was really beautiful and she is an amazing artist.

Elizabeth Miller "Lover's Rose" grade 11
Elizabeth Miller “Lover’s Rose” grade 11

Award for Creativity: Junior Elizabeth Miller for “Lover’s Rose”

What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

Dried roses from my boyfriend.

Who is your favorite artist?

Nik Fiend, his artworks are trippy.

What medium do you prefer to use?

Ink.

Is there something that you discovered about art or your ability this year?

It can come from anyone willing to try.

What is your reaction to being named a winner this year?

I almost cried from stage fright!

What was your personal favorite work in the show this year?

Magic Moments by Lydia.

Alesia Daly "Cellophane" grade 12
Alesia Daly “Cellophane” grade 12

12th Grade Merit Award: Alesia Daly for “Cellophane”

What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

I wanted to lay on the ground and make it look like I was sitting, so I did.

Who is your favorite artist?

Dali because he is very unique and different.  And also Mr. Feather.

What medium do you prefer to use?

Cante.

Is there something that you discovered about art or your ability this year?

I’m decent a portraits.

What is your reaction to being named a winner this year?

I wasn’t really expecting anything this year because I didn’t try as hard.

What was your personal favorite work in the show this year?

Emily Beam’s artwork that won the People’s Choice.

Rae Bonsell "The Light Bearer" grade 11
Rae Bonsell “The Light Bearer” grade 11

11th Grade Merit Award: Rae Bonsell for “Light Bearer”

What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

To be honest, “The Light Bearer” was a piece I did last year almost on a whim.  The face is a real person: Mark Pelligrino. He’s an actor and he played Lucifer on “Supernatural” and I just loved his acting and how he portrayed Lucifer.  I wanted to draw him for Mark’s birthday and send him a picture of it.

Who is your favorite artist?

Maxime Taccardi.  He’s a very eccentric artist with very powerful work.   He also uses strange techniques and medium, even his own blood.

What medium do you prefer to use?

Acrylic paints are by far my most preferred medium.  I really like the look of acrylics.

Is there something that you discovered about art or your ability this year?

I learned a lot about my skills with acrylics and watercolors. I also learned how to work with shading and contrasts.

What is your reaction to being named a winner this year?

I actually was in the middle of predicting a winner when my name was called.  I stopped mid sentence and my jaw just dropped open!  It took a lot of effort not to just start crying.  I was really surprised and nervous.

What was your personal favorite work in the show this year?

It may not have been the best, but I was really moved by Izzy Miller’s portrait and the courage of her grandmother.  I don’t want to say too much about it but the roses were notes that Izzy wrote about her grandmother and there was wallpaper from her grandmother’s house on it.  It’s a very emotional piece if you know the story behind it.

Emily Beam "Serenity" grade 11
Emily Beam “Serenity” grade 11

11th Grade Merit Award: Emily Beam for “Serenity”

What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

A photo.

Who is your favorite artist?

Mr. Feather because he is awesome!

What medium do you prefer to use?

Oil paint.

Is there something that you discovered about art or your ability this year?

I like doing portraits.

What is your reaction to being named a winner this year?

Happy!

What was your personal favorite work in the show this year?

Mikayla Harris’s work.

Vika Walk "Jesus from Heaven is for Real" grade 10
Vika Walk “Jesus from Heaven is for Real” grade 10

10th Grade Merit Award: Vika Walk for “Jesus from Heaven is for Real”

What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

My dad asked me to draw it because he really wanted art work of Jesus.

Who is your favorite artist?

Georgia O’Keefe because I love how she does her work and most of it is of nature.  Nature is my favorite thing to paint and work with.

What medium do you prefer to use?

I like paint and watercolors.  I also like pastels.

Is there something that you discovered about art or your ability this year?

I discovered that I can do paintings of nature really well.  Also that painting comes easy to me.

What is your reaction to being named a winner this year?

I appreciate that my artwork is being recognized.

What was your personal favorite work in the show this year?

Probably the one that Lena Walk drew/airbrushed of Audrey Hepburn.

Taylor Dixon "Calm Amongst Storm of the Mind" grade 10
Taylor Dixon “Calm Amongst Storm of the Mind” grade 10

10th Grade Merit Award: Taylor Dixon for “Calm Amongst the Storm of the Mind”

What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

I wouldn’t really say I had an inspiration. It was required for my art class that we draw a portrait of someone.  Once I started drawing this piece I knew I wanted to make this one really good so I tried my best to make it go.

Who is your favorite artist?

My pap, Bill Dixon was an artist before he passed away.  His work was beautiful to me in every single way and he is the reason I love to draw.

What medium do you prefer to use?

Charcoal/Graphite.

Is there something that you discovered about art or your ability this year?

I feel as if this year was an eye opener for me.  I found out that I could achieve great things if I really spent time on a piece and tried my best.  I learned that I need to have courage and I learned that you cannot be afraid to take risks in your art, and also in general.

What is your reaction to being named a winner this year?

As soon as I saw my drawing up on the screen I was shocked!  I never thought my drawings would win an award!

What was your personal favorite work in the show this year?

I thought all of the work in the show this year was impeccable.  However, my personal favorite was “Dreamer” by Emily Beam.

Rebekah Schleppy "Depression" grade 9
Rebekah Schleppy “Depression” grade 9

9th Grade Merit Award: Rebekah Schleppy for “Depression”

What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

I look at the world around me and I see that bullying is a very big problem and it inspired me to do my piece called “Depression.”

Who is your favorite artist?

Vincent Van Goth.  His style and work is very inspiring.

What medium do you prefer to use?

I prefer graphite because I know how to use it and you can show a lot of detail with it.

Is there something that you discovered about art or your ability this year?

I know that I’ve improved so much this year!

What is your reaction to being named a winner this year?

I was really surprised.  I wasn’t expecting it.  Looking at all the other pieces, I thought I wasn’t going to win. 

What was your personal favorite work in the show this year?

All of Emily Beam’s work.  She is truly an amazing artist.

Bruce Bauer  "Superbowl Catch" grade 9
Bruce Bauer “Superbowl Catch” grade 9

9th Grade Merit Award: Bryce Bauer for “Super Bowl Catch”

What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

The Pittsburgh Steelers.

Who is your favorite artist?

Pablo Picasso because his blue period is cool.

What medium do you prefer to use?

Paint.

Is there something that you discovered about art or your ability this year?

Yes, I am decent at art.

What is your reaction to being named a winner this year?

I was surprised because I didn’t think I would win.

What was your personal favorite work in the show this year?

Adam Levine by Natashia Zimmerman.