Aspiring artists at Thomas County Central High School continue to hone their skills and be rewarded for their talents.
Students placed in several categories/mediums during the North Georgia Fair Youth Art Show, many adding to their list of accolades for the year (see below). The fair, held in Marietta, is the biggest in north Georgia.
Students in grades pre-k through 12th from around the state can enter, and TCCHS students competed in the "Creative Arts," "Aspiring Artist" and "Crafts" categories.
“We are very proud of our students’ work and their awards earned,” TCCHS art teacher Jocelyn Rivard said.
Senior Sophie Anderson won Best of Show in 9-12th grades for her watercolor, “Girl with Purple Shadows.” Anderson, who won Best of Show at the same event last year, said she didn’t expect to win again.
“I was surprised,” she said.
The piece also won first place in the watercolor category, and Anderson also placed second in mixed media for her ink and watercolor creation “Cityscape with Girl” and third in oil pastel for her “Girl with Frogs,” done in pastels with orange paper.
“Art gives me an escape from normal life,” Anderson said. “Using a paintbrush I can create something new and unseen. These wins help me further understand what I am good at executing properly.”
Senior Tayler Deas also won several awards for her work. These include: first place in clay sculpture for her glazed pinch pot “VW Bus,” first place in mixed media for her collage and watercolor, “House with Fountain,” and first in ceramics for her “Multicolored Coil Pot,” which featured a different textured and colored glazed coil for each layer.
“The experience of winning three first place awards for my artwork allows me to keep advancing my skills and to demonstrate the skills learned in the classroom,” she said. “Creating art allows me to relieve stress and accomplish works of art that express my happiness.”
Sophomore Ty'kaya Muse, 16, placed second in acrylic for her piece, "Dog on Wood Floor." It was made in acrylic and ink, and featured a mastiff dog sitting on a wooden tile floor with a couch behind him.
“I feel very proud of myself,” Muse said. “I really wasn't expecting to win. I know I'm a good artist, but I didn't think I was good enough to win an award.”
Winning an award makes Muse want to try her best to win again, and be selected for more art shows and contests.
Junior Kiana Roman, 16, placed second in ink for her piece, “Flies with Pop Cans.”
“I feel proud that I was able to win another award,” she said. “I did not go in expecting to win because when I create an artwork, I do it because it makes me feel good, not to win a contest.”
Junior Maria Davis placed second in mixed media for her colored pencil and sharpie creation, “Phone Number Design.”
The piece features digits in her phone number in different sizes and placed in different orientations on the paper. Sharpies of varying sizes and colors were used to color the numbers.
“There is always a sense of pride when there is a ribbon on your work,” she said.
Rivard said shows like the one held during the North Georgia Fair are good for both her students and the school’s art program because they provide exposure for the artists’ work to places beyond their community and give them a chance to showcase unique talents.
“Students’ works were on display at three concurrent venues this year, including this one,” she said. “Besides the standard offerings, this one reaches students who have unusual media such as jewelry design, recycled art, and crayon. With limited entries in some shows, this show helps get more TCCHS art on display for public enjoyment.”
The experience helps motivate Roman to continue improving her art.
“It makes me feel good that others can get as much enjoyment from looking at my art as I do making it,” she said.
North Georgia Youth Art Show, Marietta
9th – 12th Best of Show – $15 – Sophie Anderson – Watercolor –“Girl with Purple Shadows”
FINE ARTS
Fine Arts – 9th – 12th Grade – 1st Place
Acrylic – Emily Robison
Charcoal – Hakeem Stevens
Crayon – Christian Scully
Pen/Ink – Chandler Wilson
Pencil – Hakeem Stevens
Tempera Paint – Ciera Ames
Watercolor – Sophie Anderson
Mixed Media – Tayler Deas
Oil Pastel – Hakeem Stevens
Fine Arts – 9th – 12th Grade – 2nd Place
Acrylic – Ty’kaya Muse
Colored Pencil -- Maria Davis
Crayon – Micah Carroll
Pen/Ink – Kiana Roman
Tempera Paint – Rebecca Spruiell
Watercolor –Markescia Reynolds
Mixed Media – Sophie Anderson
Oil Pastel – Keri Corbin
Fine Arts – 9th – 12th Grade – 3rd Place
Colored Pencil – Ashley Simmons
Crayon – Cameron Hadley
Pen/Ink – Keri Corbin
Watercolor – Hakeem Stevens
Oil Pastel – Sophie Anderson
CRAFTS
Crafts – 9th – 12th Grade – 1st Place
Clay Sculpture – Savannah Barrett
Clay Sculpture – Tayler Deas
Ceramics – Tayler Deas
Ceramics – Marty Stevens
Collage – Chandler Wilson
Papier-Mache – Brooke Hagan
Recycle Art – Jessi Hopland
Sculpture – Amy Dixon
Printmaking – Jessi Hopland
Crafts – 9th – 12th Grade – 2nd Place
Collage – Savannah Barrett
Clay Sculpture – Chandler Wilson
Ceramics – Chandler Wilson
Collage – Carly Clark
Jewelry – Rebecca Spruiell
Papier-Mache – Carly Clark
Drawing – Samantha Starling
Watercolor – Brooke Hagan
Sculpture – Jessi Hopland
Printmaking – Matthew Powell
Crafts – 9th – 12th Grade – 3rd Place
Clay Sculpture – Kate Weaver
Clay Sculpture – Hope Michaels
Ceramics – Tiffany Salmons
Jewelry – Mikayla Jordan
Papier-Mache – Hope Michaels
Other 2-D – Ciara Ames
Sculpture – Macie Wheeler