Harlem High School Celebrates Artists and Their Art
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A junior at Harlem High School, Desiree Smith won Best of Show honors as well as a blue ribbon at the Harlem Seed Show for her upcycled book sculpture. She also won an Outstanding Student Artist Award at Harlem High School's Artist's Reception held on April 23.
On Tuesday, April 23, Harlem High School's (HHS) Library was transformed into a gallery for an Artist's Reception and final showing of artwork created by HHS students during the past school year. The event was organized by Art Instructor, Mary-Kate French who wished to host a reception to recognize her artists. The event was held in conjunction with Parent-Teacher Conferences, and an Awards Ceremony immediately followed.
About the event, which took place from 4:00-7:30 p.m., French said, "This was the last formal showing of the students' artwork for the year, and I wanted to celebrate their talent. We have many students in our school who are multi-talented. We also have a lot of artsy students who don't often get other opportunities to 'shine out' to the community."
Among the art displayed were charcoal drawings, ceramic pieces, mixed media self-portraits, upcycled book sculptures, non-objective art pastels, self-portrait upcycled collages, sugar skull paintings, and surreal charcoal pieces.
HHS Senior Amilia Blackcrow received a blue ribbon for her charcoal drawing at the Harlem Seed Show as well as an Outstanding Student Artist Award presented by Art Instructor, Mary-Kate French.
Much of the art at the exhibition still wore ribbons from the Harlem Seed Show, but French awarded some additional prizes. For example, thirteen students won Emerging Student Artist Awards. Among those were seven freshmen: Caylon Lawrence, Justise Heppner, Janeisha Aguirre, Alex Azure, Donovan Posey, Jackson Young, and Natalia Oats; two juniors: Thunder Bigby and Antone Rider; and four seniors: Harmony Bigby, Crysie Johnson, D'Lonte Farrar, and Jace Doney.
Fifteen additional students received status as Outstanding Student Artists. This group of talented makers included five sophomores: Braylon Yazzie, Hope Paul, Kishay Obey, Svea Hogan, and Travis Doney. A half dozen juniors joined the ranks: Angelique Oats, Morgan Bell, Marie Hogan, Desiree Smith, Savanna Jones, and Emjai Stiffarm. And finally, four seniors received the honor: Amilia Blackcrow, Nellie King, Jessica King, and Gracie Young.
Besides putting artists and their art in the spotlight, this final exhibition was further meant to congratulate the students for their creative effort and out-put. "Such celebrations serve as encouragement, as well as a source of great pride and confidence," French stated.
In addition to the Awards Ceremony, cookies and punch were served to the artists and their guests.
