Junior Ava Wysocki was studying in one of her classes when her ceramics teacher, Natalie Johnson, emailed her the results of the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE). A few days prior, one of the judges told her that her artwork wouldn’t make it to state because it was too fragile. When she opened the email and read that she advanced, she was shocked and excited.
Wysocki was among 11 other state VASE qualifiers from RHS, along with two other state qualifiers within the district.
Three of the state qualifiers advanced for a second year in a row, which art teacher David Sanders said is a rare achievement.
“I think they’re set to do really well again, and I’m excited to see what they do at state,” Sanders said.
Many students who created pieces for VASE worked with materials they never have used before, which can leave room for errors.
Junior Gabriella Mirabal created a detailed sculpture of a stack of copper fishes. She had never used monster clay before and struggled with creating the details since the material is so soft.
“I learned that I’m not as patient as I thought it was,” Mirabal said. “I wanted to get rid of all of the little tiny balls and at the end, I didn’t.”
Sophomore Oliver Marshall said that during the prototype phase of his moving floral mask, he struggled with making the mechanisms for the mask so it would be able to be worn.
“I had to remake the entire mechanism, but I just rethought it, made a different hinge system, and it worked out eventually,” Marshall said.
Once students arrive in San Marcos for state, they will compete for gold seal, but they will also get to see everyone’s artwork and get inspiration for future pieces.
“I’m really excited to see what other people made,” Mirabal said. “You feel really inspired when you see other people’s stuff, and that’s what I’m planning to do. I just want to see as much artwork as I can from everyone.”
Art magnet teachers create a junior VASE camp to encourage more participation in the magnet and competitions. Current high school art students pair with incoming freshman to prepare them for interviewing with judges.
“Hopefully that will help ease their nerves and make them feel more confident speaking about their work,” art magnet teacher Christina VanHamersveld said.
Art teachers said they’re very proud of how far their students have come.
“They’re very passionate artists, they’re willing to put their artwork out there for others to be seen, and they’re eager to discuss their artistic works,” VanHamersveld said.
