At Desotorow’s second annual Young Artist Showcase, we celebrated the talent of those whose sprits haven’t been crushed by art school. Visitors from Grove, Islands, and Jenkins High School gathered with family, friends, and faculty to celebrate the spirit of art and relish in their own gallery showing.
The work from all three high schools proved surprising, all ranging in medium and encompassing their own unique depth. Their work struck viewers as ethereal, abstract, and whimsical, but never boring.
At this annual event, Desotorow hopes to encourage and foster artistic inspiration for these high school students, and we can clearly see the continuing importance of keeping the arts alive in schools.
Julie Hodge, Island High art teacher remarked that, “I feel that when you’re a student, art classes are what encourage you to attend school. My students tell me all the time that my class is the highlight of their day. . .I think art has been an evolving point for a lot of them. I can’t imagine a world without art.”
While the YAS is a time to celebrate all artistic students [many of whom had work displayed for the first time], Desotorow likes to give recognition to those who have displayed quality creativity and skill.
Alex Huntoon with winning potrait (left) and other works.
2010 YAS Winners:
1st Place- Alex Huntoon
2nd Place-Daniel Hoshner
3rd Place- Nicholas Vargas
Honorable Mention- Casey Brand
After her win, the very talented Alex Huntoon gave us a few words on her experience.
Alex’s portrait of RnB singer and fellow Pisces, Erykah Badu was not only her first piece displayed in a gallery, but also her first piece rendered in black and white contrast. She names voodoo culture and magic as sources of inspiration.
Alex on Desotorow
Going into it, I thought [The Young Artist Showcase] was a good opportunity to get my artwork out there, and it definitely proved to be successful. I think Desotorow is a great place, especially since its public, to come in and be inspired by all the artwork and the emotion of artists. It seems like a great opportunity for people to release their heart, and feelings, and what they want in their minds—and you can also help other people realize that it’s good to get their work out there.
Alex on Arts Education
I think when you get more into it, art can help with self-improvement. If you feel that there’s something you need to improve within yourself, and you have this idea that comes to you, it’s definitely a mental impulse to get that energy out—that negativity or anything that has been eating away at you, and to have it outside in concrete reality. It switches around on you like that—you get help through art.
In the company of their art, students, their parents, and all in attendance were in high spirits at this year’s Young Artist Showcase. Desotorow greatly appreciates the students of Grove, Islands, and Jenkins High School who submitted their work and made this event a great success. We look forward to new talent next year!
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