Home to many brilliant students, West possesses a significant number of young artists who have found their love for art and pursued it throughout their high school experience. These students often receive recognition for their skills and have their pieces displayed in buildings around campus, but the artists recently had an opportunity to showcase their work to a larger audience at the Winston Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) Spring Art Extravaganza. Featuring artists from all over the school district in three different galleries, the Titan artists had the unique opportunity to share their work with the community.
The WS/FCS Spring Art Extravaganza was held from March 25-29 at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts, allowing for many sets of eyes to view the hard work of young Forsyth County artists. Serving to provide exposure to young artists and their schools, the event was an excellent chance for students to showcase their hard work and receive recognition among other talented youth in the area.
“This event promotes the arts in the community and our school programs. It causes a boost in student confidence in creative expression, providing a sense of pride and accomplishment,” art teacher Elizabeth Betson said.
Of all of the pieces displayed, 33 West students were represented during this event. Among these students, two Titans were given a Gold Star award, recognizing them for their talent and exceptional dedication shown in their pieces. This accolade was given to junior Keelan Ramos and sophomore Una Davis. Both students displayed pieces that were special to them, making the award even more of an achievement.
“I’m grateful and honored to have been given the opportunity for my art to be displayed to people, especially with those who value art as much as me. I’m super happy to have had a place in the show,” Ramos said. “My piece displayed was a self portrait of myself in dynamic lighting. I didn’t have a chance to title it but I’d probably call it “Adolescence” since I wanted to capture a time in my life where I’m still young.”
Davis shared a similar sentiment, feeling grateful to have had the opportunity to be featured in this event and taking home the Gold Star.
“I was very excited when my art teacher asked for me to bring my art to be put in the spring art show, [as well as] the gold sticker placed on our name cards that was given to our art for being exceptional,” Davis said. “The art of mine was a color pencil drawing of a boy and a horse, it does not have a name because it was a gift to a family friend so I left that up to them.”
Both the students featured and the art teachers are proud of the West recognition at this event, and they feel that along with the techniques and different mediums used in art, there are lessons to remember that are just as important.
“Never stop creating, developing your ideas and expressing your voice. Art can be in many forms, shapes, colors and mediums. Art fosters creativity, enhances problem-solving skills, promotes self-expression and builds confidence, while also developing critical thinking and communication abilities. Art can foster lifelong learning and one should never stop learning,” Betson said.
The recognition of young artists goes a long way, as it inspires future art students to pursue their goals in the hopes that they will one day have their pieces displayed. The featured artists have shown immense dedication to their work, making the Spring Art Extravaganza an opportunity for community wide celebration.
