On the evening of Wednesday March 20th students & their families, as well community arts organizers, high school educators and WA State college & university representatives, joined together to celebrate creativity and arts education at the Annual High School Art Show Awards for Puget Sound. Public, private and home-school students in 9-12th grade from King & Pierce county as well as Vashon & Bainbridge Islands are encouraged to submit work in January & February. There were 141 entries in this year’s PS ESD art show with 21 entries from private schools. The judging was extended an extra week due to Snowpocalypse.
Washington Federation of Independent Schools selected the Private School’s Award providing a $500 cash prize to Minh Nguyen for Glass Aiden. Minh is an 11th grade student at Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien where his art teacher Dale Dolejsi encouraged his interest in Digital Graphics for this eye-catching photographic collage that will be on public display at Inspirus Credit Union in Tukwila for the year to come.
PSESD Superintendent’s Award went to Emma Liu, who is a 12th grader at Forest Ridge of the Sacred Heart studying with art instructor Tracy Mintz. Puget Sound Educational Service District purchased her oil painting Connection (past) and will keep it for display in their building as part of the ESD’s permanent collection.
Outstanding Achievement Award in Textile from PSESD went to King’s High School 11th grade student Elma Lu for High on a Hill. Art Teacher Kerri Shorack enthusiastically submitted Elma’s intricately felted piece that caught the eye of many judges and show attendants.
PSESD also provided an Outstanding Achievement Award in Glass to Dominque Baldwin, 12th Grade at Charles Wright Academy for Immortal, the beautifully layered fused glass panel which art teacher Nick Bivens provided guidance on creating.
These students received award certificates from PSESD for their outstanding work.
King County Executive Award which includes a gift certificate from members of 4Culture went to Kiera Finnegan for The Contortionist, her daring 3D Sculpture. Kiera attends Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bellevue studying art now as a 12th grader with teacher Tracy Mintz.
All 9 ESD’s around WA State host a Regional High School Art Show. Each ESD then sends the winning artworks submitted by public school students on to the culminating Superintendent’s High School Art Show in Olympia in May. Private Schools are not included in the State Art Show. This shift in policy happened a couple of years ago and WFIS has asked OSPI leadership to reconsider. We hope, in the near future, to see all students be included once again.
