Art students advance to VASE state competition
By Jane Hakiyimana
Art students competed in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event, or VASE, On Feb. 25 at McMurry University for a chance to advance to state in San Marcos, from April 28-29.
“VASE helps recognize students’ art by putting them in a program, to set a standard of excellence to achieve or be successful, ¨ freshman Brieyonna Reed said.
Every year there are around 20,000 VASE submissions, and about 8% of the submitted pieces make it to state. Three students, seniors Glorianna Nichols, and Lilly Alexander, and freshman Brieyonna Reed, advanced to state and have a chance to earn a gold seal at the state level.
At the competition, students presented their artwork to judges and explained the meaning behind their art pieces. Students who decided to wait for their results had a drawing workshop they could attend.
¨We had interviews at McMurry with judges, if we had two pieces, we had to have two judges,¨ Nichols said. ¨We had assigned numbers, but it was kind of random.¨
First-year VASE competitor, Reed advanced to state for her artwork and said she based her pieces off her brother and her in a quinceañera dress. After the competition, Reed entered another competition at McMurry and won first place in ceramics with the sculpture of her brother.
¨My family inspires me for all my artworks, ¨ Reed said. ¨During the process, I just think about that one sibling or my mom and just say to myself I am lucky to have them.¨
Nichols submitted two art pieces, a 3-D piece called ¨Identity Crisis¨, and a second textile piece called ¨Out of Place¨. For her 3-D piece, she received a 60, the highest score one can receive, and a 59 for ¨Out of Place¨. Nichols has partaken in VASE every year since freshman year. Last year she received a golden seal and advanced to state.
¨I´m really bad at talking and even worse at describing my work because it´s so personal to me and I´m not good at explaining, but I´m really glad I had that experience,¨ Nichols said.
Alexander competed in VASE last year and advanced, marking the second year in a row. Both of Alexander´s pieces advanced, a sculpture and a 2-D art piece.
¨I decided to do VASE this year because I had a fun time last year, ¨ Alexander said. ¨I was like why not do it again.¨
Gold Seal artworks will be displayed in a special exhibition during the State Event.
¨Vase is very limiting at times, but the interviews are fun, and going to state is even more fun,¨ Alexander said.
