As students explore their passions for artistic fields, the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) is providing students with the opportunity to showcase their artwork across the community.
On Feb. 24, 40 schools across the Dallas-Fort-Worth area assembled at Memorial High School for the annual VASE regional competition. Of the 177 finalists advancing, 30 are from IHS, breaking the school’s previous record of 26 students. On April 26, students will advance to the state level of the competition at San Marcos High School in San Marcos, Texas. Here, students can gain state recognition, by winning a ‘Gold Seal,’ the competition’s highest award,
“The State VASE Jurors select artworks that represent the goals of VASE and [are] exemplary examples of concept, technique, craftsmanship and creativity,” said the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) website. “Students selected as Gold Seal winners will receive a Gold State Medallion, [with] their artwork exhibited in a variety of venues across the state, culminating with the Gold Seal Exhibition at the annual TAEA Fall Conference.”
Prior to competing, students submit their piece along with an ‘intent form,’ or brief description of their artwork’s message. Each competitor is split into a division, depending on their level of formal art instruction. At regionals, jurors meet individually with each student for questions and critiques. Following the interviews, each submission is ranked on a scale of one to four, with four being the highest, after which the judges decide which pieces advance to state.
“[During state], we don’t actually have any interviews,” said junior Ananya Arun, a 2023 Gold Seal winner. “[Instead], the judges will look at each of our individual pieces, but [more closely] at your intent form this time. [While waiting for judging], we get to tour a [local] college, and [take a] look at their art program. [Eventually], out of the 3,000 pieces at state, only 151 get a Gold Seal, which is a really big deal. The recognition you get is giant, and everybody– [including] random art professors and critics– are saying ‘congrats’.”
To help support students’ passion for art after they graduate, the competition also has scholarship openings for different art styles, including digital media, still-life, and landscape.
“Once all the awards are presented, they have us go to workshops, [which] can sometimes offer scholarships,” Arun said. “They’re usually given out to seniors, and [range from] $100 to $1,000. [To apply,] you sign up beforehand, and it’s a quick 20-to-30-minute conversation [with a juror].”
When working on a piece, inspiration can strike at any moment.
“I found these playing cards in the back of my closet and [thought], ‘I could probably do something with these,’” Arun said. “[In the piece,] the cards have [different meanings] behind them, [such as] ‘The Queen of Hearts,’ which represents compassion. I kind of pieced together every card to create [the message of] how taking control of your emotions gives you power. I had [my model] hold certain cards, and the cards that were against that meaning were tossed away.”
For many competitors, creating artwork is a way to express their individuality.
“We live in an incredibly judgemental society, [but] I think using art to create a sense of relatability through my artwork is a beautiful thing,” sophomore Parul Kabre said. “I’ve learned more about myself as an individual, and [also] about technique, [including] the wide range of mediums that are available to me, which have definitely played a role in the evolving quality of my work.”
During the creation process, time management is a common struggle.
“I ended pulling four all-nighters in a row during a school week just so I could finish by the due date,” sophomore Riya Jaldu said. “[Another] smaller challenge was how I felt this piece wasn’t as creative as I wanted it to be. However, by pushing [ourselves] out of our comfort zones as artists, we manage to combine our new-found skills and previous interests together to allow for [greater] self-expression.”
Ultimately, competitors believe that with the right dedication, both VASE and the art program yield far-reaching benefits.
“When you look at Independence’s art program, you [can] see how good it is,” Arun said. “I’ve made so many friends through VASE, and it’s something that we all look forward to. [Although] the workload leading up to [the competition] is tiring, it’s [also] fun. [That’s] the thing about art: you have to be dedicated to it in some way.”
