National Black History Month Spotlight: Addison Scurlock (1883-1964)

February is Black History Month, and @DGNFineArts is pleased to spotlight the pioneering work of African American artists.

Addison Scurlock (1883-1964) was an ambitious photographer who migrated from North Carolina to Washington, DC with his parents. Following an apprenticeship with a prominent white photographer, Scurlock opened his own studio in the Black community. Scurlock’s photography of elite Black events such as ballets, operas, and the likenesses of Black celebrities, such as W.E.B DuBois and Marian Anderson, illustrated opposition to traditional minstrel caricatures of Black life. Scurlock’s sons eventually took over the business and ran a photography school that was attended by Jacqueline Bouvier (Kennedy) before she married JFK. Recently, the Scurlock Studio was a focal exhibit at the American History Smithsonian.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/the-scurlock-studio-picture-of-prosperity-4869533/

DGN Jazz Ensemble Swings at FitzGerald’s

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Jazz Ensemble for their spirited and "swingaliscious" performance at the famed FitzGerald's Nightclub!

Winter Guard Elevates 8 Points - Takes 3rd at Naperville Central

Congratulations to the DGN Winter Guard on another outstanding showing at today's Naperville Central Winter Guard Contest. The team elevated their score to a season high 65.42 (an 8 point increase from last week).

Pep Band Welcomes Parent Musicians!

It was great to have extra sonic support at today's performance of the DGN Pep Band!

North High Honors Visual Art Award Winners!

This morning North High School honored DGN Visual Art students who earned honors at the Chicago Region Scholastic Art Awards. Congratulations to our students and Visual Art Faculty for your artistic accomplishments!

GOLD KEY AWARDS (29)

Kaitlyn Almazan, Drawing and Illustration (2)

Marcus Bacerra, Digital Art (2), Drawing and Illustration (2), Painting (1)

Evelyn Brindl, Photography (2)

Phoebe Covey, Digital Art

Benjamin Gartlan, Drawing and Illustration (2), Art Portfolio (1)

Joseph Hegarty, Comic Art (1), Design (1)

Carlos Hernandez Jr., Jewelry

Hollis Kerr, Drawing and Illustration (1), Mixed Media (1)

Mia Kibiloski, Drawing and Illustration (2)

Mia Knutson, Digital Art

Nikita Lukhanin, Ceramics and Glass

Morgan Lynch, Jewelry

Jonny McDonald, Art Portfolio (1), Photography (1)

Allison Pustelnik, Photography

Savannah Rodriguez, Ceramics and Glass

Fatima Sheikh, Digital Art

Angela Wong, Ceramics and Glass

SILVER KEY AWARDS (29)

Patrick Adelman, Mixed Media

Kaitlyn Almazan, Drawing and Illustration

Marcus Bacerra, Art Portfolio (1), Digital Art (1), Drawing and Illustration (1)

Nolan  Brezina, Jewelry

Evelyn Brindl, Photography

Gavin  Crowson, Photography

Bridget Deegan, Photography

Giulia Dumitrescu, Photography

Benjamin Gartlan, Drawing and Illustration

Sandra Greco, Photography

Ansareen Hassan, Mixed Media

Amanda Hazen, Jewelry

Lily Kraus, Ceramics and Glass

Rachel Martello, Jewelry (2)

Alexa   McCartney, Photography

Jonny  McDonald, Photography (2)

Isabell  Moiceanu, Drawing and Illustration

Alexa Moy, Digital Art

Lucy Quinn, Mixed Media (2), Sculpture (1)

Kate Sosnovsky Comic Art

Joseph Soucek, Ceramics and Glass

Tayveun Wiliams, Drawing and Illustration

Julia Yrkoski, Drawing and Illustration

HONORABLE MENTION (30)

Marcus Bacerra, Drawing and Illustration

Eric Bican, Digital Art

Evelyn Brindl, Art Portfolio

Victoria Brown, Mixed Media

Katie Cantlin, Ceramics and Glass

Kaitlyn Ford, Drawing and Illustration (1), Painting (2)

Benjamin Gartlan, Drawing and Illustration (2)

Zack Gaytan, Jewelry (2)

Marissa Justiniano, Design

Hollis Kerr, Drawing and Illustration

Mia Knutson, Digital Art

Emmalyn Kraft, Ceramics and Glass

David Matousek, Drawing and Illustration

Paul Matousek, Digital Art

Jonny McDonald, Photography (2)

Chloe Nowka, Ceramics and Glass (2)

Anika Oplanic, Jewelry

Sophie Peters, Photography

Lucy Quinn, Mixed Media (1), Painting (1), Sculpture (1)

Quinn Stephens, Digital Art

Allison Tenorio, Comic Art
Katie Velazquez, Jewelry

National Black History Month Spotlight: Alma Thomas (1891-1978)

February is Black History Month, and @DGNFineArts is pleased to spotlight the pioneering work of African American artists.

Alma Thomas (1891-1978) was the first person to graduate from Howard University with a degree in Fine Arts. Her painting is noted for its pattern, rhythm, and color. Her painting Resurrection is the first work by an African-American woman to hang in the public spaces of the White House as part of the permanent collection.

https://nmwa.org/explore/artist-profiles/alma-woodsey-thomas

Treble Choir at IL-ACDA Choral Festival

Congratulations to the DGN Treble Choir for a beautiful performance and clinic at the 2018 IL-ACDA Treble Ensemble Sing and Share Festival.  The festival took place at the College of DuPage and featured over 700 singers from twenty-four ensembles from Illinois high schools and colleges.

Winter Guard Improves 6 Points - Takes 3rd at DGS

Congratulations to the DGN Winter Guard for their incredible work this past week as show revisions were incorporated, leading to a solid 3rd place finish at their second contest of the season. The contest took place at Downers Grove South High School, and their score improved by a full 6 points from the previous week. Way to go, ladies!

DGN and DGS Jazz Bands Swing at the Tivoli

Congratulations to the members of the DGN and DGN Jazz programs for their outstanding performances tonight at the Tivoli theater in Downers Grove. It was a pleasure and honor for our students to open for the great Northern Illinois University Jazz Orchestra!

Winter Guard - 3rd Place at Naperville North Competition

Congratulations to the DGN Winter Guard for their third place finish at their competition at Naperville North High School. With a score of 51.68, they are off to a great start! Check out their next performance at Downers Grove South this coming Sunday. The DGN Winter Guard will be performing at 12:47 PM.

DGN Musicians at the 2018 IMEC All-State

Congratulations to the student musicians who participated in the 2018 IMEC as All-State Musicians in at the Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois. Students worked with inspirational conductors and teachers for several days to prepare and present a concert of challenging repertoire. Even with limited rehearsal time, each ensemble presented a stunning performance of challenging repertoire to a capacity crowd at the Arena in the Peoria Civic Center. Several District 99 students were featured during the concerts as soloists or in principal chairs in each of the ensembles.  

Special thanks are extended to the music faculty in District 99 for personifying the spirit of professional volunteerism that keeps ILMEA a vibrant organization: Brayer Teague is the President of ILMEA, Craig Roselieb is the President of the Jazz Division;  Beth O'Riordian is the co-chair of the District 1 Choral Division;  Frank Piekarz and Amanda Sirvatka led sectional rehearsals for both choirs;  Glenn Williams facilitated a panel discussion and presented a clinic on Remaining Collaborative during Conflict.    

All the District 99 students and staff extend a heartfelt "thank you" to the staff and volunteers of ILMEA who contributed to creating this experience for our student musicians.   

WINDS AND PERCUSSION

Jennifer Casey (12) - Euphonium - Assistant Principal, All-State Honors Band

Emilija Irvin (10) - Bassoon - All-State Band

Emma Krause (10) - Flute, All-State Honors Band

Chloe Mason (12) - Oboe - Principal, All-State Orchestra

Brian Perillo (11) - Euphonium - Principal, All-State Honors Band

Miles Teague (10) - French Horn, All-State Honors Orchestra

CHORUS

Cecilia Kowara (12) - Soprano I, All-State Honor Chorus

Jack Langan (12) - Bass I, All-State Chorus

Lindsey LeBeda (12) - Alto II, All-State Chorus

Claire Marino (12) - Alto II, All-State Chorus

Brendan Quealy (12) - Tenor II, All-State Honors Chorus

ORCHESTRA STRINGS

Lucie Boyd (11) - Viola, All-State Honors Orchestra

Joseph Delorto (12) - Viola, All-State Orchestra

Amelia Korbitz (12) - Violin 1, All-State Honors Orchestra

Bryan Monk (12) - Violin 2, All-State Honors Orchestra 

Catherine Ramsey (10) - Harp, All-State Orchestra

MUSIC COMPOSITION

Ellie Banke (11) – Commercial/Popular – 2^nd place

All State Composer Showcase Concert 2018

Congratulations to ILMEA Award Winning Composer Ellie Banke, as well as DGN musicians Sarah Durbin, Jamie Gamonez, and Miles Teague, for an outstanding performance at the All State Music Composition Contest Showcase Concert. Ellie's composition, and the quartet's performance, garnered an immediate standing ovation from conference attendees. Kudos to all!

CYSO at IMEC

Congratulations to DGN musicians Lucie Boyd (Viola) and Miles Teague (French Horn) for their outstanding performance with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra at the 2018 Illinois Music Education Conference Opening Concert.

DGN Visual Artists Honored - Scholastic Art Awards

The Fine Arts Department at Downers Grove North High School is proud to announce the results of the judging from the 2018 Scholastic Art Awards held at Downers Grove North High School and hosted by the Community High School District 99 Fine Arts Departments.  1,271 student artists from 40 area schools submitted 2,949 works of art for adjudication. North High artists won 88 awards, including 29 Gold Key Awards, 29 Silver Key Awards, and 30 Honorable Mention Awards.

“We are very excited to host the regional exhibition at North High,” said Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chairman. “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 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.”

Community High School District 99 will host the Scholastic Art Show Regional Exhibition from February 4-9, at the North High School campus Main Street Lobby (4436 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515).  The public is cordially invited to attend the Exhibition Opening and Artists Reception on Sunday, February 4, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. 

GOLD KEY AWARDS (29)

Kaitlyn Almazan, Drawing and Illustration (2)

Marcus Bacerra, Digital Art (2), Drawing and Illustration (2), Painting (1)

Evelyn Brindl, Photography (2)

Phoebe Covey, Digital Art

Benjamin Gartlan, Drawing and Illustration (2), Art Portfolio (1)

Joseph Hegarty, Comic Art (1), Design (1)

Carlos Hernandez Jr., Jewelry

Hollis Kerr, Drawing and Illustration (1), Mixed Media (1)

Mia Kibiloski, Drawing and Illustration (2)

Mia Knutson, Digital Art

Nikita Lukhanin, Ceramics and Glass

Morgan Lynch, Jewelry

Jonny McDonald, Art Portfolio (1), Photography (1)

Allison Pustelnik, Photography

Savannah Rodriguez, Ceramics and Glass

Fatima Sheikh, Digital Art

Angela Wong, Ceramics and Glass

SILVER KEY AWARDS (29)

Patrick Adelman, Mixed Media

Kaitlyn Almazan, Drawing and Illustration

Marcus Bacerra, Art Portfolio (1), Digital Art (1), Drawing and Illustration (1)

Nolan  Brezina, Jewelry

Evelyn Brindl, Photography

Gavin  Crowson, Photography

Bridget Deegan, Photography

Giulia Dumitrescu, Photography

Benjamin Gartlan, Drawing and Illustration

Sandra Greco, Photography

Ansareen Hassan, Mixed Media

Amanda Hazen, Jewelry

Lily Kraus, Ceramics and Glass

Rachel Martello, Jewelry (2)

Alexa   McCartney, Photography

Jonny  McDonald, Photography (2)

Isabell  Moiceanu, Drawing and Illustration

Alexa Moy, Digital Art

Lucy Quinn, Mixed Media (2), Sculpture (1)

Kate Sosnovsky Comic Art

Joseph Soucek, Ceramics and Glass

Tayveun Wiliams, Drawing and Illustration

Julia Yrkoski, Drawing and Illustration

HONORABLE MENTION (30)

Marcus Bacerra, Drawing and Illustration

Eric Bican, Digital Art

Evelyn Brindl, Art Portfolio

Victoria Brown, Mixed Media

Katie Cantlin, Ceramics and Glass

Kaitlyn Ford, Drawing and Illustration (1), Painting (2)

Benjamin Gartlan, Drawing and Illustration (2)

Zack Gaytan, Jewelry (2)

Marissa Justiniano, Design

Hollis Kerr, Drawing and Illustration

Mia Knutson, Digital Art

Emmalyn Kraft, Ceramics and Glass

David Matousek, Drawing and Illustration

Paul Matousek, Digital Art

Jonny McDonald, Photography (2)

Chloe Nowka, Ceramics and Glass (2)

Anika Oplanic, Jewelry

Sophie Peters, Photography

Lucy Quinn, Mixed Media (1), Painting (1), Sculpture (1)

Quinn Stephens, Digital Art

Allison Tenorio, Comic Art
Katie Velazquez, Jewelry