Special to the HT
MEEKER | Meeker High School had an unprecedented year at the Colorado Regional Scholastic Awards. This year the Art program had two of the biggest honors in the state known as the “American Vision Nominee Award” going to senior Lilly Newman and freshman Mia Hernandez. Newman’s work was an Editorial Cartoon titled “Weighing Humanity” and Hernandez had a large linoleum block print titled “Home in the White River Valley.” Junior Joshua Quinn is the first student in MHS history to get two Gold Keys in a single year. His prismacolor drawings “Los Colonos” and “Just Scrollin’” caught the judges’ eye. Sophomore Janet Lopez won a Gold Key for her multi-colored linoleum block print “Twilight Cruiser.” The five Silver Key recipients this year were Avarie Caulfield for Printmaking, Eliel Jiminez for Printmaking, Brooklynn Kirkpatrick for Ceramics, Cade Mills for Ceramics, and Sophia Moody for Painting. Averie Caulfield, Lilly Newman, Janet Lopez and Brooklynn Kirkpatrick also received an additional Honorable Mention for their work. Other Honorable Mentions went to Abigail Amick for Painting, Jaxen Mills doubled up on Honorable Mentions for his Ceramic work, Jill Ward received one for her self-portrait painting, and Quintin Simpson received an Honorable Mention for printmaking.
“Seeing students earn recognition with the Colorado Art Region of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is always exciting, especially in such a competitive statewide event. The level of technical skill and the strength of artistic voice this year were truly impressive and shows how inspiring and vibrant student creativity is across Colorado,” said Miranda Ziegler, director, Colorado Scholastic Art Awards.
“I am always amazed with how our students show us their creative gifts and compete at such a high level. Words cannot express how proud I am of all of our students who submitted work for this phenomenal show. I am so grateful for our students, community, parents and administration for their support,” said Ben Quinn, MHS art instructor.
Nearly 5,000 of the best works from Colorado’s premier art programs and students are submitted each year. Only a small fraction get into this prestigious show. Meeker High School students continue to show their amazing talents and abilities at the highest level of art competition. The Gold Key winning work will be adjudicated in New York City and we will find out at the end of March if any of our students move onto the national level. The artwork is being displayed at the 40 West Gallery in Lakewood and the Denver Art Museum in Denver until March. Please visit www.coloradoartawards.org for more information.
Award winners:
American Vision Nominee plus Gold Key
Lilly Newman “Weighing Society”, Editorial Cartoon
Mia Hernandez “Home in the White River Valley”, Printmaking
Gold Key
Joshua Quinn, “Just Scrollin’,” Drawing
Joshua Quinn, “Los Colonos”, Drawing
Janet Lopez, “Twilight Cruiser”, Printmaking
Silver Key
Brooklynn Kirkpatrick, “Fairy Garden Pottery Set,” Ceramics
Avarie Caulfield, “The Frog King Ruling the Masses,” Printmaking
Cade Mills, “Japanese Inspired Soup Bowl with Chopsticks,” Ceramics
Sophia Moody, “The Jungle”, Painting
Eliel Jiminez, “Santo San Juditos Tadeo”, Printmaking
Honorable Mention
Abigail Amick, “The Ache of Remembrance,” Painting
Avarie Caulfield, “The Wisest Tree,” Printmaking
Brooklynn Kirkpatrick, “Mr. Puff”, Ceramics
Jane Lopez, “Bandito,” Printmaking
Jaxen Mills, “Textured Mixing Bowl,” Ceramics
Jaxen Mills, “Lidded Casserole Dish,” Ceramics
Lilly Newman, “Desolation,” Drawing
Quintin Simpson, “The Mountain Ghost,” Printmaking
Jill Ward, “The Green Room (Self-Portrait),” Painting
UPDATE: Quintin Simpson’s Honorable Mention was inadvertently left out of the text of the article. The HT regrets the oversight.