Art contests are an opportunity for students to not only build confidence, but also have financial benefits.
“We do one every year at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, which is nice because it’s with the whole metro area, and they have cash prizes and our kids have won, I mean, probably a total of like $800,” art teacher Jill Oliver said.

Oliver, along with art teachers Abbey Thomas and C

ortney Dougherty, decide from student artwork who they will apply to these contests. Depending on the type of contest they pick a variety of pieces — either 2D, 3D, or occasionally something made through a digital program — that they believe have potential of winning.

“Sometimes I let my students decide. It just depends on the kind of art show or a competition. I might let them know what kind of things have won in the past. If they really like portraits at a certain competition, I would let them know that. If it is just an art show that we’re picking, I try to pick a variety of things that I think would showcase South,” Thomas said.

Senior Sophie Solas placed second in the 2D section of the Merriam art competition with a watercolor painting.

“Contests are a lot of fun. Some of them are difficult to find, like sometimes our teachers will just have to let us know when the arts go on, because it’s hard to research for ourselves,” Solas said.

The artwork entered is typically made in the classroom as a part of the teachers curriculum. Consider applying for one of the various art classes for

the upcoming year,

if you’re interested in potential art recognition.

Gallery • 4 Photos

Madi Russell