Westonka Art Students Take Home Hardware

By Lorrie Ham

Westonka students Jalyn Macy and Mckae Bailey have been honored with Gold Key Awards at the 2012 Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards (MSSA) Contest for their drawings, Zebra Shoe and Papaya. Senior James Woods and junior Jess Novack have been awarded Silver Keys for their drawings, Shaving and Dat Vic.

Out of 1376 individual artwork entries submitted in the state of Minnesota, the jury awarded 133 Gold Keys and 167 Silver Keys for artwork entries. All four students’ artworks will be on exhibit with the other award winning artworks at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design from Jan. 30 through Feb. 26.

In addition, these four artists will be presented with their awards at the MSAA ceremony and reception on Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Seniors Lauren Olson and Tessa Hrkal were two of 228 students to receive Honorable Mention Awards for their drawings, Cherries and Family Circle.

Artworks that received Gold Keys in each state move onto the national competition. These works will be digitally reviewed in New York City by panels of nationally renowned artists, art professionals and arts educators, explained MWHS Art Teacher Laura Hensley.

Jurors select work for national recognition based on originality, technique and emergence of a personal vision.

“The Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards is one of the most competitive and highly respected art competitions in our state,” said Hensley. “I am thrilled that this year for the first time since I’ve been teaching, two of our students won Gold Keys. Furthermore, I am consistently proud of the level that our MWHS students are achieving and I’m pleased that their success in this year’s MSAA allows our district to shine at the state and national level!”