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Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Visit Our New Website!

 This Fine Arts Blog has officially retired as of August 2023. 

Please visit our NEW Fine Arts Website HERE!

This web address will remain active as a historical archive of the DGN Fine Arts Department from 2006-2023.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

DGN Visual Artists Sweep IL 6th Congressional District Art Exhibition Honors!

1st prize Greta Serniute "Look At What You've Done" acrylic painting

Congratulations to DGN Visual Art students Greta Serniute, Julia Arnold and Lydia Metcalf for their recognition in the U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Art Exhibition.

Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives.  The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our congressional districts. The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents.  Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

Greta Serniute (Class of 2023) earned 1st place in Sean Casten’s Congressional District (Illinois 6th). Her work will be framed and displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will also include artwork from other contest winners nationwide. She is awarded two airline tickets to attend the Awards Ceremony this summer in Washington, D.C.

Julia Arnold (Class of 2023) won 2nd place, also in Sean Casten’s Congressional District (Illinois 6th). Her framed work will be exhibited in Congressman Casten’s office.

Lydia Metcalf (Class of 2023) won 3rd place, also in Sean Casten’s Congressional District (Illinois 6th). Her framed work will be exhibited in Congressman Casten’s office.

2nd prize Julia Arnold "The Body Keeps the Score" digital drawing

3rd prize Lydia Metcalf "The Conducting Mantis" watercolor & ink


Monday, May 22, 2023

Dr. Piekarz Appointed "Guardian of the Purple"


Mr. Richard Jontry taught World Languages (German) at North High School from 1965-2008. Through his 42-year tenure he was known for wearing this purple jacket (with a matching purple tie) every Friday, to show his school spirit.
When Mr. Jontry retired in May of 2008, he walked into Mr. Teague's classroom and presented the jacket and tie to him in front of his students. He asked Mr. Teague to be the "guardian of the purple" until he retired, and then pass the garments along to another staff member who was “equally committed to the spirit of our school, and finishing their career at North High.”
On Monday morning Mr. Teague presented Mr. Jontry's jacket and tie to Dr. Frank Piekarz in front of his students. The small lapel pins were added by Mr. Teague; they each represent a special event in the history of the school.
Congratulations Dr. Piekarz, on being appointed the new Guardian of the Purple!

Thursday, May 18, 2023

AP Studio Art - Graduating Senior Retrospective


We invite students and families of our DGN Visual Art community to enjoy THIS RETROSPECTIVE, featuring submitted work by our graduating AP Studio Visual Artists. 

If viewed on a computer, please note that you may use the SPACE key, as well as ARROW keys to advance slides (forward, backward, pause). 

Congratulations to each of these featured visual artists:

Emily Allen
Julia Arnold
Sarisa Chulanon
Aidan Corbett
Gabriella De Gante
Natalie DiBartolo
Maddy Dvorak
Natasha Fugate
Eve Giesler
Adi Hernandez
Payton Hubbs-Plumley
Nathan Klasen
Amelia Kolatek
Lydia Metcalf
Charlie Michaels
Emily Nemeth
Kate Palczynski
Leo Peters
Matt Poe
Aiden Robinson
Calista Schuster
Yahir Servin
Lennart Strempfer
Jonah Sutton
Ashley Wachel
Sarah Woods
Abigail Zdenek

DGN Fine Arts Salutes the Class of 2023!


The DGN Fine Arts Department extends a heartfelt congratulations and bids a fond farewell to the North High School Class of 2023. Specifically, we acknowledge the artists in Music, Theatre and Visual Art who elevated our standards throughout their academic journey and will leave behind a legacy of high achievement and artistic excellence. We wish you each great success in your future endeavors, and encourage you to return to your Alma Mater and visit frequently! 

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

People's Choice Awards - DGN 2023 Spring Art Show


Congratulations to the winners of the People’s Choice Awards from the 2023 DGN Spring Art Show! Abbey Rosenberg is the winner of the three-dimensional artwork ribbon for her ceramics piece titled “P(l)ants.” The winner of the ribbon for two-dimensional artwork is Tyler Staken, who had two drawings, “Ambidextrous Insanity” and “Junkyard (Ambidextrous),” receiving the same number of votes. 


Monday, May 15, 2023

Congratulations DGN Chamber Choir - 2023 Farewell Concert


Congratulations to the members of the DGN Chamber Choi for their wonderful performance at the 2023 Chamber Choir Farewell Concert

A special thanks is extended to musicians from the Class of 2023 who performed in their final concert at North High School this evening. Bravo!



Thursday, May 11, 2023

Congratulations D99 Orchestras - 2023 Spring Concert


Congratulations to the members of the District 99 String Chamber EnsemblesDistrict 99 Concert Orchestra, District 99 Symphonic Orchestra, and the DGN A Cappella Choir for wonderful performances at the 2023 District 99 Spring Orchestra Concert

A special "bravo" is extended to senior musicians Stephen Cecil (viola) and Nicole Moravec (violin) for their solo concerto performances. Bravo!








Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Visual Artists Recognized at Spring Art Show Exhibition


Congratulations to all DGN Visual Artists who have work exhibited in the 2023 DGN Spring Art Show!

Spring Art Show Award Recipients

Principal's Choice Award
2D: Lee Kelly - Faceless
3D: Timmy Fleming - Let Me Blossom
Honorable Mention:
    Sarah Woods - Replication
    Natasha Fugate - Entanglement 
    Ashija Flower - Speckles

Realistic (reference-based) Drawing & Painting
1st Place: Maura MacDonald - Ink Watercolor Self-Portrait
2nd Place: Daniela Wallace - Still Life Beauty
3rd Place: Tamara Vlaskovic - Vengeance
Honorable Mention:
    Daniela Wallace - Still Life Beauty
    Mary Salgado - Friends Lost to Time
    Nick Flores - Cobalt & Wine
    Jeremiah Washington - Mirror Picture
    Natasha Fugate - Skull
    Sadie Kearney - Nostalgia
    Josh Ronquillo - A Sky to Remember
    Jolie Weisz - Me
    Calista Schuster - On Display (1)
    Dashiell McNamara - Obtuse

Imaginative Drawing & Painting
1st Place: Tyler Staken - Ambidextrous Insanity
2nd Place: Peter Bowe - Blackened Bone
3rd Place: Eve Giesler - The Vile Divines
Honorable Mention:
    Kayley Bohne - The Green Eyed Monster
    Matthew Poe - Theola
    Gabriella De Gante - The Ideal Man
    Lydia Metcalf - Playing Through the Night
    Azrael Robinson - Record Player
    Adi Hernandez - The Status Quo Hurts Everyone
    Greta Serniute - A Shield from the Rain
    Tamara Vlaskovic - Present Day, Present Time
    Illia Ishchenko - Tied by Vinechains
    Mya Jones - Stream of Thoughts

Black & White Photography
1st Place: Yahir Servin - “Fenced Country”
2nd Place: Cara Fleming - “As Above, So Below”
3rd Place: Alex Drozdov - “Shadows”
Honorable Mention:
    Jack Brindl - “Shadows of Tomorrow”
    Alex Drozdov - “Crosswalk”
    Henry Gwozdz - “My Fate is Sealed”
    Henry Gwozdz - “A Mind of Its Own”
    Lecia Johnson - “Outside”
    Easan Ponnapoondar - “Untitled”
    Yahir Servin - “(:Nissan:)”
    Yahir Servin - “Eyeglass”
    Sara Woods - “Replication”
    Abigail Zdenek - “Take the Road Less Traveled”

Color Photography
1st Place: Sarisa Chulanon - “Compare”
2nd Place: Ella Leathers - “Untitled #8”
3rd Place: Yahir Servin - “Trafico”
Honorable Mention:
    Darren Burrows - “Ready to Sting”
    Mia Chico - “Chicago”
    Sarisa Chulanon - “Reflected Fragments”
    Cara Fleming - “The Goal”
    Owen Hardage - “Me”
    Ella Leathers - “Untitled #6”
    Yahir Servin - “43?”
    Jonah Sutton - “Ring of Past”
    Ashley Wachel - “Fool”
    Sarah Woods - “Taking It In”

Functional Ceramics
1st Place: Emily Allen - “Predator - Prey”
2nd Place: Abbey Rosenberg - “P(L)ANTS”
3rd Place: Aiden Musso - “Preservation”
Honorable Mention:
    Sarisa Chulanon - “Ocean Waves”
    Maria Armas - “Zacatecas”
    Eva Cesare - “Prayer in the Garden”
    Abigail Darrah - “The Spark”
    Seann Purintun - “Moonlight”
    Maya Gawley - “My Polish Ancestry”
    Gabby Sale - “Adventure Time”
    Harrison Konder - “Holes”
    Natalie Dibartolo - “Starvation for Beauty”
    Henry Gwozdz - “Untitled Vessel 1”

Sculptural Ceramics
1st Place: Aleena Chulanon - “Desolate”
2nd Place: Cammie Crowson - “Entangled”
3rd Place: Maddy Dvorak - “Therapy”
Honorable Mention:
    Finn Gray - “Please Let Me Go”
    Kiley Steidl - “Lily Pad Pond”
    Esther Izrailov - “Mossy Entanglement”
    Natalia Velasquez - “Fairy Tale House”
    Alyssa Parratore - “Flower Blues”
    Cammie Crowson - “Alps in Pieces” 
    Cammie Crowson - “Cheesiest Piece”
    Natasha Fugate - “Frog and Toad” 
    Jackie Howard - “Papaw’s Fish”
    Katrina Sinner - “Allelujah!”

Jewelry & Metalwork
1st Place: Elise Sadler - Symphony
2nd Place: Kelsey Spahn - Mirror of Memories
3rd Place: Henry Gwozdz - Making Something I Cannot See
Honorable Mention:
    Emily Kus - You Still Dance in My Mind
    Timmy Flemming - Ripples
    Amelia Passero - Is It Painful?
    Hannah Wyssman - Save the Barrier
    Cali Bailey - Fool’s Gold
    Mary Guzman - Transparent
    Emma Navarro - Growing Berry Tired
    Parker Rozek - Swirly Hexagon
    Nadya Moreno - Shine
    Aiden Robinson - Memories

Digital Art
1st Place: Eve Giesler - Goodbye, Old Friend
2nd Place: Peter Bowe - Blackened Bone
3rd Place: Ashley Wachel - Picture This
Honorable Mention:
    Lennar Strempher - Untitled (Plumed Soldier)
    Aleena Chulanon - Leafy
    Sarisa Chulanon - Smile More
    Yahir Servin - Vuelos
    Leo Peters - Void Fishing
    Calista Schuster - Escape
    Amelia Kolatek - In The Hands Of
    Eve Giesler - Serene Suspension
    Johnny Rodriquez Noyola - Star Baby
    Israel Crawford - Doorway to What?




















Tuesday, May 09, 2023

Congratulations DGN Bands - 2023 Spring Concert


Congratulations to the members of the DGN Concert Band, DGN Wind Ensemble and the DGN Symphonic Band for wonderful performances at the 2023 Spring Band Concert.

A special "bravo" is extended to Allison Waden for her solo performance of Variations on a Theme of Glinka, by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.




Monday, May 08, 2023

DGN Fine Arts Outstanding Seniors (Department Award)

Congratulations to the following Class of 2023 students who have earned academic distinction as the "Outstanding Senior in Fine Arts" for their respective disciplines:

Music: Hannah Janka

Theatre: Rebecca Helsdon

Visual Art: Sarisa Chulanon

CLICK HERE to read about each of these outstanding seniors, and their academic distinction within the Fine Arts Department.

Sunday, May 07, 2023

Congratulations to the Company of "The Importance Of Being Earnest"

Congratulations, and BRAVO to the entire company of The Importance Of Being Earnest, DGN's 2023 Spring Play! 

D99 Orchestra Concert Thursday Night!


Please join the musicians of the District 99 Orchestra on Thursday, May 11, 2023 for the 2023 District 99 Spring Orchestra Concert! This concert will also feature Senior Concerto soloists, Stephen Cecil (Viola), and Nicole Moravec (Violin).

The concert begins at 7:00 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of North High School. The concert is free to attend, and doors open for general seating at 6:30 PM.

The concert will be live-streamed on the DGN Fine Arts Department YouTube Channel, and may be accessed directly using the link below:

District 99 Spring Orchestra Concert
Thursday, May 11, 2023, 7:00 PM CST

Concert Program:
Click HERE.

Livestream Video:

Spring Band Concert Tuesday Night!


Please join the musicians of the DGN Concert Band, DGN Symphonic Band and select members of the DGN Wind Ensemble on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 for the 2023 DGN Spring Band Concert! This concert will also feature Senior Concerto soloist, Allison Waden (Oboe).

The concert begins at 7:00 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of North High School. The concert is free to attend, and doors open for general seating at 6:30 PM.

The concert will be live-streamed on the DGN Fine Arts Department YouTube Channel, and may be accessed directly using the link below:

DGN Spring Band Concert
Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 7:00 PM CST

Concert Program:
Click HERE.

Livestream Video:

Thursday, May 04, 2023

Brayer Teague Retirement Concert: Alumni & Friends Band


The DGN Fine Arts Department gratefully acknowledges the many alumni, friends and community members who attended the "Brayer Teague Retirement Concert" on April 29, 2023. 

Please find a folder of photographs, HERE, including images taken with Mr. Teague during the post-concert reception. 

A multi-camera recording may be found HERE. Specific moments of the concert are indexed in the comments section. Click "Show more" to see various chapter links. 






















Fine Arts @ DGN Mission

North High School endeavors to provide an enriching, vibrant, multidisciplinary environment for the study, creation, and presentation of the Fine Arts.