The auditorium lobby at North High School in Downers Grove was abuzz with artistic activity today as DGN and D99 hosted the 2014 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards exhibit for the Chicagoland region. 1,059 student artists from 30 area schools submitted 2,430 works of art for adjudication. This regional exhibition features the award winning pieces from the extremely competitive judging process. The exhibition takes place in the auditorium lobby just off the Main Street entrance to DGN. The works will continue in exhibit for one week following the opening reception from 8 AM until 4 PM daily.
District 99 student artists claimed over 200 awards in a variety of art and writing categories from the 2014 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition. North High student artists won 93 awards, including 24 Gold Key Awards, 22 Silver Key Awards, and 47 Honorable Mention Awards. At South High, student Maria Padilla received the highest award--an American Vision Award nomination for her photograph, “Lost.” In addition, South High students merited another 127 awards, including 47 Gold Key Awards, 37 Silver Key Awards, 43 Honorable Mention Awards. God Key winners will advance to the national competition in New York; national winners will be announced in March.
“We are very excited to host the regional exhibition at North High,” said Fine Arts Department Chairman Brayer Teague. “This show is always an amazing display of student creativity and a testament to the wonderful art teaching that is happening in District 99.”
According to Teague, the art teachers from both North High and South High School play an important role in putting the exhibition together. “Our District 99 art teachers are the engine behind this regional affiliate of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Their dedication and tireless commitment enables student artists from all over the suburban region to have their work evaluated by professional artists.”
“We are exceedingly proud of both the process followed by our student artists, and, of the products they all create,” said South High Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams. “Scholastic Art Awards represent a high point of artistic achievement for a high school Visual Artist.”
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, which date back to 1923, are an important opportunity for students to be recognized for their creative talents. Past winners include Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote and others. For more information, please go to www.artandwriting.org.
