The Wyoming High School Art Symposium developed by Secondary Art Educators has been an annual event for almost 57 years. It is a three day event that allows not only Kelly Walsh students to showcase their amazing artwork, but also allows students to connect through their shared talents. Students from high schools all around Wyoming take part in this event.
This year, it is taking place April 30th – May 2nd, at the Ford Wyoming Center. There are over 5000 student pieces being displayed. All of it is incredibly diverse; from paintings, to clay, and even wood carvings. Each student has the ability to present their artistic innovations using originality and aptitude.
Additionally, the variety of pieces allows judges to choose 24 two-dimensional pieces and 10-15 three-dimensional pieces. These awards are presented at the banquet where multiple art scholarships are given, by the Art Educators organization and different colleges throughout the state. There also is a silent auction that is held for professional art works, which benefits the WSAEA scholarship fund. The WSAEA stands for Wyoming Secondary Art Educators Association, which is an organization that promotes quality education in art for all Wyoming students.
Certainly, anyone can be in this event, but the teachers choose the ones that they think will be the most outstanding to the judges. One of the sculpture teachers at KW, George Peak, said, “We enter the best pieces that the kids have created since last year’s art show.” This means there is a lot of competition with all the capability that the kids have. Everyone puts in their best effort to make great pieces that will be displayed in the show.
Peak also said, “Kids prepare work for it all year long.” The students’ work ethic consistently drives them to achieve their greatest potential and create remarkable art. Each person’s artwork has complex detail that shows how determined the creators are. The participants are all able to show their imaginative expression through the pieces that they make.
Sophomore Ava Palmer said, “ I think the art show can make a huge impact on people by showing what our generation is capable of.”
The art show is so inclusive and allows kids to connect through great pieces of work. This is Palmer’s second year doing sculpture and the piece that she is entering into the show is a replica of the Colosseum.
She said, “The hardest part of my project was making all of the little details that brought the whole project together.” Despite the challenges of this project she has shown lots of diligence and commitment throughout the whole year and with the many other projects she has articulated along the way.
Although very competitive, the High School Art Symposium is an amazing event that allows creative construction from students all over Wyoming. Students stay dedicated and use purposeful techniques to tie their artworks together. Many students have bonded over the challenges and rewards of the symposium, illuminating the excitement of the event.
