It’s cold outside.
So it’s a good time of year to head inside to the Pine River Library, which has a fireplace, comfy reading chairs and some intriguing student art pieces on display for library patrons.
The library’s annual Youth Art Month Art Show runs through March 31, with works displayed by students from both Bayfield High School and Bayfield Middle School.
One of the highlights of the show is a large acrylic painting by BHS junior Maddy Hollingsworth of pop star Awsten Knight.
The painting is so realistic that at first glance, it looks like a photograph.
Hollingsworth said she worked on the piece for about a month. She likes acrylics because they blend easier than other paints, and they dry fast.
Another piece by Hollingsworth, “Inner Beauty,” criticizes animal testing in the cosmetics industry.
“My piece portrays an emotion of discomfort and revulsion because of the needle and the idea behind it,” she wrote in her artist statement, referring to her image of an injection into a rabbit’s eye.
BHS art teacher Kathleen Neal said Hollingsworth is one of many talented students displaying work this year, and she’s hoping for a repeat of last year’s school victory at the InterMountain League art show, which will be held this year on April 28 at Pagosa Springs High School.
The students’ work is interspersed throughout the library, with no distinction between the middle school and high school artists.
“I’m really proud of showcasing the students’ ceramic work,” said Kayleigh Weir, BMS art teacher, noting that this is the first time in a few years that students have been able to use the school’s kiln and pottery wheel. Several students created self-directed works, where they had to write their goals for their pieces, as well as using different media in the art room.
Art is typically a one-person affair, but she said many students brought friends and family to the show’s reception on Tuesday night, giving them a chance to show them the work and explain the creativity that went into making it.
Freshman Sarah Evans used three different types of paints – watercolor, oils and acrylics – to create her piece, “Snowy Cabin.” She liked learning that blue needs to be added to white snow to make it appear three-dimensional.
“It’s festive and happy,” she said of her piece.
Other BHS students displaying work at the show are: Dominick Albo, Genesis Barrera, Haley Barrera, Evelyn Baxter, Payton Begay, Meegan Burrow, Kenasea Byrd, Maggie Ediem, Trenton Espinosa, Renae Foutz, Annie Fusco, Breeanna Hanenberger, Ivy Hinkle, Royce Hinojosa, Gwydion Hogg, Adi Hooks, Kori Jenkins, Liam Johnson, Alaysia Kremer, Brady Leonard, Bailey Martinez, Theren McCullough, Madison Meed, Lance Mitchell, Asher Modonna, Emily Nelson, Kylee Newall, Natalie O'Hair, Tanna Owens, Kaedon Rademacher, Millie Shocklee, Hannah Taylor, Anna Vasgird, Emma Vaughn and Ashlie Wursten.
Works by BMS students include: Kendall Alexander, Alex Alsum, Reese Appenzeller, Jason Avery, Dakota Barnes, Jodacie Bartley, Alan Boling, Cooper Bowen, Ella Chamblee, Harmony Cuch, Catalina Flores, Kristalynn Hogue, Haily Jahnke, Madi Kurtz, Hannah Luzietti, Kira Mortude, Auq-uwey O’John, Devin Osman, Kylynd Parrish, Brayden Pratt, Micaela Ramirez, Balen Rehman, Jett Rey, Kyle Russel, Mia Sager, Abigail Silvernail, Aspen Smith, Lauren Tarkington, Claire Trentini, Jon Van-Riper and Peyton Wilmer.
After the InterMountain League show, BHS students will display their second-semester artwork, while BMS will display work in May.
Students in the National Art Honor Society at BHS also will conduct their annual Adventures in Art program on April 9, with about 20 students conducting workshops for fifth graders at Bayfield Intermediate School. The high school students write the lesson plans and arrange for the art supplies that will be used during the Saturday event, Neal said. Money for the program is raised by art honor students painting windows at local businesses for the holidays and other events.
