State Superintendent Randy Dorn will host the 41st Annual Superintendent’s High School Art Show May 16, at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in Olympia.
The show, co-sponsored by OSPI and the Washington Art Education Association (WAEA), will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. It will celebrate the high school artists whose work was selected for statewide competition as regional winners in their Educational Service District (ESD) shows across the state this spring. Dorn will honor the 15 state winners and their teachers.
Dorn believes arts education is essential. “If we are dedicated to preparing all students, we must be sure that all schools have access to a well-rounded arts program,” he said. “We want every student engaged. As the state superintendent, I urge all school districts to ensure that all students have access to the highest quality opportunities in arts education.”
In addition to OSPI and WAEA, six organizations also chose winners: State Board of Education (SBE), Professional Educators Standards Board (PESB), Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA), ArtsEd Washington and Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP). The eight groups will pay each artist $200 to purchase their award-winning artwork for their permanent collections.
This year’s five Judges’ Choice Awards were selected by a panel of 16 judges. The artists who win these awards also receive $200, each, and their artwork will be kept in OSPI’s permanent collection.
The winning artists include:
- Alaina Scheffer, “Kerr(i) Economy” | Superintendent’s Award
Friday Harbor High School (Teacher: Andrew Anderson), ESD 189
- Alex Floathe, “Split Personality” | Judges’ Choice Award
North Mason High School (Teacher: Gavin Forseth), ESD 114
- Nathan Perdue, “Young Dragon” | AWSP Award
Royal High School (Teacher: Michael Holmes), ESD 105
- Nathaniel Downey, “Slugs” | Judges’ Choice Award
Okanogan High School (Teacher: Dan Brown), ESD 171
- Emily Rawson, “Heavy Metal Salmon” | PESB Award
Okanogan High School (Teacher: Dan Brown and Lonnie Dixon), ESD 171
- Elizabeth Evans, “The Journey” | WSSDA Award
Kelso High School (Teacher: Charemon Smith), ESD 112
- Alaina Scheffer, “Lizzy” | Judges’ Choice Award
Friday Harbor High School (Teacher: Andrew Anderson), ESD 189
- Nathaniel Downey, “Grasp on Reality” | ArtsEd Washington Award
Okanogan High School (Teacher: Dan Brown), ESD 171
- Laila Vik, “Still Life Study” | Judges’ Choice Award
Cascade High School (Teacher: Britt Barer), ESD 189
- Jocelyn Mardel, “Bear” | OSPI Choice Award and Governor’s Choice Award
White Swan High School (Teacher: Jeff Kent), ESD 105
- Riley Donahue, “Ditat Deus” | Judges’ Choice Award
River Homelink (Teacher: Traci Donahue), ESD 112
- Yebel Mosqueda, “Voice of the Sea” | WASA Award
Hanford High School (Teacher: Kelley Muntean), ESD 123
- Haley Madison, “In the Eyes of Captivity” | OSPI Staff Award
East Valley High School (Teacher: Patrick Taylor), ESD 101
- Morgan Danielle Haberlack, “Rainbow Fish” | SBE Award
Kamiakin High School (Teacher: Vicki Gravenslund), ESD 123
- Madeline Owen, “Combustion” | WAEA Tribute Award*
Ingraham High School (Teacher: Dana Stellman), ESD 121
- Spencer McDowell, “Baroness Winchester’s First Kiss” | Honorable Mention Award Olympia Regional Learning Academy (Teacher: Lea Mitchell), ESD 113
Every year, the WAEA chooses their winning piece to honor their “Tribute Award” winner. This award is given to outstanding arts educators, arts advocates and businesses nominated by the WAEA membership. This year’s Tribute Award winner is Katie Hall, an art teacher from Eisenhower High School in Yakima.
