Jeremy and Jessica both received the State VASE medallions!

The State Visual Arts Scholastic Event or V.A.S.E. was held April 12, 2008. Art students from 5-A, 4-A, 3-A, 2-A, 1- A and magnet high schools across the state gathered at the event, students and teachers were given a warm welcome and the event schedule for the day. While the artworks were being juried, the students were participating in professional workshops, lectures, slide presentations, demonstrations, and outdoor sketching opportunities. The event was intended to provide a forum for art teachers and students to meet and to grow artistically and personally.

The 1,783 art entries were exhibited and open for viewing after the jury process had been completed. This provided opportunities for students to view the works of other student artists and to see the vast talents and fresh ideas of other students their age. The Awards Ceremony was the exciting end to a long day! Students and teachers gathered back in the auditorium eagerly awaiting the results of the jury panel. It was an awesome sight to see these young people burst into shouts of joy for each other when their name was called to approach the platform! The platform represented the pinnacle of artistic success in the VASE program. This work of art had now been juried through three levels and had received the exemplary Rating IV. The students were then draped with the VASE State Medallion.

Ten percent of the state winners were chosen to receive yet another medal and more recognition. This prestigious award was called the Golden Seal Award. Those students were recognized as being the truly gifted art students in the State of Texas. Their art will travel around the state of Texas for a wide range of viewers. A special ceremony will be held at the capitol building in Austin to recognize the Gold Seal winners and their artwork. The Gold Seal State Visual Arts Scholastic Event is the highlight of the VASE events!

Jessica also was recognized as a Gold Seal Winner for the 2008 year! Jessica was the first student from Hawley High School to receive this honor. Hawley students have participated in VASE for the last 15 years with success and state winners each year, but Jessica’s beautiful digital photograph allowed Hawley High School to be recognized as an outstanding state recognized facility for the instruction of visual arts.