West Hills Opens Student Art Show

Dozens of student art pieces were displayed on the walls and in glass cases at West Hills High School’s Student Art Show opening on Thursday.

The 11th annual art show, which runs through April 2, showcases 2-D art, 3-D art, photography and digital art. Roughly 100 pieces were selected by four different art teachers who teach 19 art classes at West Hills. Teachers selected about five pieces per class.

About 80 students, parents, staff, teachers and community members packed West Hills’ gym/foyer for the art show opening and awards ceremony.

“It showcases their art so everybody can see,” said John Goodman, who teaches 3-D design and ceramics at West Hills.

Goodman added that it’s a great opportunity for students to see and experience art.

“Most students don’t go to galleries and look at art in galleries and don’t have the experience of an art opening,” Goodman said.

One of the pieces showcased was an untitled digital image of blue, green and purple buildings by 10th grader Jenna Addy. She used Photoshop to create the image, which was a class assignment. She explained her teacher directed the class to create two points and make a street.

“There’s a lot of perspective that goes into drawing and how things look,” said Jenna Addy, who was surprised the piece was selected for the show. “That’s not one of the ones that I would have chosen, but I’m really good in the class.”

Jenna’s father, Bill Addy, said he was proud of his daughter’s work.

“I think the art itself is composed really nice,” he said. “I think she got across what the teacher was trying to have her do, and it was her interpretation of it.”

The four teachers who selected the artwork gathered the week before the opening to determine the winners, Goodman said. First and second place winners, as well as two honorable mentions, were chosen for each of the four categories represented at the art show. First place winners received $40 and second place winners received $20.

A “Best of Show” winner was also selected. Madison Busch received $60 for her sculpture of a nude pregnant woman titled “Reclining Mother.”

“This piece is a representation of the beauty of the female form and is replicated to the best of my ability,” said Madison Busch in a statement that was posted near her piece. “The human body and especially, the female form, is captivating to me and I will continue to try to build my skill on this subject as much as I can because I enjoy it so much.”

After the award show, Madison Busch said she was excited and surprised she received the highest honor. She explained that her sculpture was of her sister, Taylor. The piece was created throughout a three-month class at Lynn Forbes School of Sculpture in Carlsbad, where her sister is a nude model.

“She modeled in front of me and I just tried to replicate what was there,” Madison Busch said.

Madison’s father, Jeff Busch, said his daughter has participated in three art shows.

“I’m very proud of her,” he said. “She worked very hard at it.”  

The West Hills senior plans to study art in college.

“It’s nice for parents to see their kids work,” said Madison Busch about the art show. “They might know their kid is creative, but they might not come to school or see everything they do. It’s nice when everyone comes. They can see what their kids can actually do and how much talent they have. I don’t think a lot of parents expect so much talent.”

Art Show Winners

Best of Show – Madison Busch

2-D

First place – Morgan Tupper

Second place – Kris Hoffman

Honorable mention – Jessica Schirmer

Honorable mention – Charles Long

 3-D

First place – Ryan Usrey

Second place – Jared Villagomez

Honorable mention – John Lielasus

Honorable mention – Samantha Colt

Photography  

First place—Eliana Moustakas

Second place – Ashley Starr

Honorable mention – Abigail Wolfe

Honorable mention – Tiffany Montoya

Digital

First place – Kris Hoffman

Second place – Alexis Patterson

Honorable mention – Kris Hoffman

Honorable mention – Ryan Wilson