By Stephen Smoot
Although the Mountain State Forest Festival will not start for another month, Lincoln Middle School artists already enjoy accolades from their juried art contest.
A juried judge selects the winners and other placers in the contest that took place earlier this month. A Festival webpage states that “a truly wonderful component of this exhibition is the Student Art Show that displays from October 4 to October 12.”
Several students earned awards from the judge. Silas Raines took first place, Lilian Moore second, Nick Glaspell third, and Cole Turner was Honorable Mention. The photography of Joshua Roselius also was featured in the photography competition.
“I try to enter contests with artwork from my students . . . as often as possible, Beth Roselius, who instructs in art at Lincoln Middle School explained , adding that “It is great exposure for the school and Harrison County.”
Additionally the travel and interaction in other communities “helps students grow in their confidence and self-esteem as young adults.”
Raines’ first place entry featured a vivid self-portrait using an unconventional and ancient technique named “paper cutting.” According to the Association for Asian Studies, Chinese tradition states that it may have emerged during the reign of Emperor Liu Che during the second century BC when an artist used the style to create an image of his deceased wife to comfort him in his grief.
The entry used gold paper on a background of black and created a stark and eye-catching contrast.
Roselius explained that “the arts give students an outlet, a way to exercise their brains in other ways, and a chance to improve the quality of learning overall.” Art also requires students to create decision-making strategies based on critical thinking, creativity, and perseverance.
“Students in my class,” she added, “learn real art techniques with high quality supplies that are provided by the county levy.” Roselius also thanked the voters of Harrison County for supporting the levy that funds such projects.
Moore’s second place entry featured an intricate drawing entitled “Wings of a Butterfly.” She used a technique called “scratch art” or “scratchboard.” This emerged in France during the 19th century. It reverses the usual method of using a darker pen or pencil on a lighter surface, using a tool to “scratch” through a dark surface to reveal light underneath.
The technique is much more painstaking and unforgiving than conventional drawing.
Roselius’s students enjoy the “opportunity to showcase their amazing skills and creativity,” as she describes.
Even more importantly, “it is something they can be proud of.”