This spooky season is an easel for many talented artists, one such artist is junior Margaret “Maggie” Wilheit. She is a skilled student and is even part of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS). Earlier this October, if you went to the Carolina Classic Fair, you might have been able to see a drawing of hers as part of the school’s art exhibit.
Wilheit began her artistic dreams as a child. Her family was one of her largest motivators for drawing. These days, she’s cultivated that talent and has seen that she has excelled past her starting goal.
“I think my first inspiration for becoming an artist was my father. It’s not like he’s some sort of designer; his job has nothing to do with art, but he has always loved drawing. I would be so impressed by the little sketches he’d make, and I strived to be as good as him one day. I’ve now surpassed that goal by a mile,” Wilheit said.
Wilheit’s art teacher, Elizabeth Betson, sees her talent and precision in her art. This is especially true in her realistic pieces, where she dedicates most of her time to.
“Maggie has a deep commitment to the art of accurate representation focusing on meticulous observation and technical skill. This commitment to realism creates an authentic impact and resonates with viewers. Her work showcases control, discipline and visual understanding. Maggie has a great eye and a strong foundation in the visual arts. She is an exceptional art student and I am very proud of her work ethic and growth as an artist,” Betson said.
Along with her dedication in the classroom, Wilheit also inspires her classmates, uplifting them through her helpful comments and observations.
“She gives her classmates good feedback to help them to become better artists. She wants to see everybody succeeding,” Betson said
Not only is she talented in visual arts, Wilheit is also involved in other mediums of art. This includes doing photography and being a member of a chorus, which she incorporates at West.
“As for my ‘other arts,’ the closest thing I could think of is singing, but let’s not put too much confidence into that. I took one chorus class in eighth grade. I love it, but the visual arts are where all of my attention lies. I also dabble in photography, I am currently the secretary of the photography club,” Wilheit said.
Wilheit’s love for art even shows outside of school, as she shows a variety of drawing techniques and sharing them for many people to enjoy.
“I’ve done commissions before. I primarily work in digital art when outside of school. The range in colors, brushes, opportunities, and the lack of stress when it comes to resource conservation make it a top pick for me,” Wilheit said.
If you were not able to see the art at the Carolina Classic Fair, you can come and support her and other students, as the school will have their art in the Scholastic Art Awards. This is being held at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC. Another event with student art will be the Spring Art Show, later in the year many students will be recognized for their work with a chance of Wilheit’s art being displayed as well.
