Revere High School art students participated in the Scholastic Art show earring gold and silver keys as well as honorable mentions.

Painting, drawing, and photography students used their art skills to create one of a kind pieces that were displayed at the Scholastic Art show. Revere has been participating in the show for over 20 years. Photography teacher Paulette Colantone explained how students are chosen for the show.

“Each year, the alliance partners with nearly 100 visual arts and literary arts organizations across the country to bring the Scholastic Awards to local communities. Teens in grades 7-12 apply in 29 categories of art and writing. Last year, students submitted nearly 320,000 works of art and writing to the Scholastic Awards. Submissions are juried by luminaries in the visual and literary arts, some of whom are past award recipients. Panelists look for works that best exemplify originality, technical skills, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision,” Colantone said.

Senior art student McKenna Becker explained what art classes she has taken at the high school.

“During my high school career I have taken many art-related classes including Elements Part A, Drawing and Design A and B, AP Drawing, AP 2D Studio Drawing, Painting A, Photography, Advanced Photography, Digital Design, Advanced Digital Design, and Portfolio which I am taking next tri,” Becker said.

Becker explains how she will continue her art career in the future.

“Regarding college, I have been accepted into Savannah College of Art and Design, University of Cincinnati’s DAAP program, Kent State University and I am currently working on my portfolio for Columbus College of Art and Design for Savannah. I would like to attend SCAD and will be able to if I receive enough scholarship money, which I hope happens. I plan on majoring in illustration and minoring in graphic design. Doing this particular major and minor would provide me with greater opportunities regarding jobs, internship, etc., much more than majoring in drawing (fine arts) would. Studying these in college allows me to continue and combine designing, drawing, and photography. I’m excited to see what college hold because I will have the chance to explore other forms of art that I have not gotten to in high school,” Becker said.

Art teacher Robert Pierson explained what students can receive for getting a gold and silver key.

“It is a National competition, people are noticed that win on a regular basis, letters are given to those who won awards. Gold Keys can get you more offers. Universities and art societies are at the ceremony offering scholarships as well as cash rewards,” Pierson said.    

Junior Alex Lupo won her first silver key this year and explained what she submitted in the show.

“I painted a still life of a cut open grapefruit. The assignment was to paint a food with a unique texture so it would be a little more challenging to paint. I decided to paint two pieces from a grapefruit that way you could see the pinkish inside as well as the orange outside and all the little textures engraved in the fruit,” Lupo said.

Becker explained how she feels about the art programs offered at Revere High school.

“I feel blessed that I have been able to even submit my pieces to Scholastic Art and Writing competition. Most artists in high school are not given the same opportunities as Revere provides, our school/district supports the arts of all forms and that’s a very rare quality to find in a public high school,” Becker said.

The show was open to the public until February 1 at the Kent State Stark branch. Gold and Silver key winners were invited to a ceremony that took place on Sunday, January 29.