Student art that was on exhibit for visitors
This story appeared previously in the Watauga Democrat as a part of an internship sponsored through Watauga High School. This version includes a different title, main image, and edits from the Powderhorn Editorial staff.
Artwork from students across Watauga County was displayed at the Jones House throughout April with a showcase on April 26, with families of the artists being invited to see their hard work become an exhibit.
The yearly reception, sponsored by the Watauga Education Foundation, pulls artwork from every school in the county as a way to represent the large number of students who possess artistic ability.
Watauga Education Foundation President Erika Hudspeth not only wanted to make sure that these students were recognized for their work on these projects throughout the school year but also to recognize the teachers who were alongside the students during the process.
“(The showcase) is held to recognize the artists and their creative works, as well as the art teachers, many of whom have received our classroom grants that support, sustain, and enhance the arts in our local schools,” Hudspeth said.
The foundation itself is mostly made up of volunteers from around the county. These volunteers come together to enrich the lives of students and to help them reach their full potential regarding innovative experiences, aligning with the vision of the Watauga Education Foundation and the goals it had set for this showcase.
“Our board always looks forward to seeing the excitement and pride of the students as they share their artwork with family, friends, teachers, and classmates and celebrate the talent and creativity of Watauga County students,” Hudspeth said.
Mabel and Green Valley art teacher Ashley Tate emphasized how much this annual showcase means to her students, as well as the lengthy preparation they had taken to have their art in a public gallery. Because there are so many submissions, the students take it very seriously, and oftentimes, it gets competitive.
“They look forward all year to the Shooting Stars showcase,” Tate said. “They ask about it. We hang up signs to show who was selected: each school only gets so many submissions, so it does become super competitive. It's an honor for them to be chosen.”
Watauga High School student Blue Davis, an artist at the event, was inspired by Vincent Van Gogh and the unique style he used for his art. Davis incorporated that style by using a clash of mediums to produce a specific color or texture.
“It's titled ‘Last Look Before a Battle.’ It’s of a cowboy and I was inspired by the point of view of cowboys back then,” Davis said. “I really wanted to incorporate the difference of colors and clash of mediums.”
Davis enjoyed viewing other students' artwork throughout the gallery, complimenting another piece, Jasmine Tripp’s “Orange Juice,” for its realism and color.
“It's just fun to meet other artists and be out here,” Davis said. “I really liked the pomegranate. Usually, I'm not a realism person, but I really like how they captured the light and the itty bitty details of it. The background really makes it pop against the medium.”
Tate wants her students to find some meaning in the gallery itself and hopes that this showcase builds their confidence for future projects and inspires the kids to continue pursuing their interest in art.
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