Whiz Kid: St. Michael-Albertville Artist Earn National Award, Headed to New York

How do you know you are an artist? You feel compelled to create.

Every blank piece of paper, edge of a handout, napkin at a restaurant – these things call out to you to fill them up with what’s in your head.

Sixteen-year-old Keaton Van’t Hull of St. Michael, is such an artist. Long before he was earning national awards, he was passionate about art.

“I couldn’t be prouder of him” shares mom, Sarah Erickson, “There are many artists in our family – but I think it’s 'skip-generation' because I certainly didn’t get any artistic gifts!”

Keaton recently won a Silver Key National Scholastic Art Award. There were 185,000 submissions and Keaton was one of 17 Minnesotans who received this special honor. Overall, 15,00 teens will receive National Medals at a gala event this June in New York City. Not just New York City – but at Carnegie Hall. Keaton and his parents will be attending.

Keaton’s winning sketch was a self portrait done with a graphite pencil. He has a large repertoire of amazing pieces and is always busy planning his next great design. A top student at St. Michael-Albertville High School, Keaton excels in advanced and Advance Placement classes, as well as being a third-year Chinese language student.  Keaton plans to focus his senior year concentration on the “comparison between technology and divinity – exploring in design – the question of what is holy?”

Next year Keaton will create and fill his Senior Portfolio, which needs to show the breadth and depth of a student’s skill and creativity. Although graded 1 to 5, a student can earn a 6 – for the most exceptional work. This is a long way from his first sketch class assignments in his early high school art classes. Gone are the fruit bowl still lifes, now the students sketch bottles.

“Oh the bottles!” Keaton laughs and rolls his eyes. “It’s all about proportion and reflection, and it’s a lot harder than it seems. I’m glad to have moved on.”

Keaton enjoys all media from sculpture to painting, but freehand sketching is his current favorite. He likes to start a sketch of something routine – like a portrait – then add “special effects” such as waves breaking out the side of a face.

“I like to add to what’s already there with my own ideas”, Keaton smiles and explains.

When he’s not drawing, working at the outlet mall, creating music or playing with Legos, Keaton might be found with his siblings Ingrid and Weston, or perhaps his girlfriend. College is right around the corner for Keaton and he hopes to get a BFA to launch his career. He dreams of working in graphic design, film, animation or architecture.

“I’d love to have a professional job during the day, then do all my really creative stuff out there on the side.”

“I take as much art as possible, focusing on drawing, painting and sculpture. Kids think art is a blow off class but actually it’s not even close. Yah, you paint, but if you can’t paint, and you aren’t willing to work, you are going to fail. I’ve seen it happen.” Keaton explains.

Asked if she keeps everything he creates, Mom laughs and replies, “There is no way. And with three kids – that’s just too much. I keep the big stuff.”

Keaton’s art teacher - Kari Halker-Saathoff- said having a student like Keaton is such a joy.  

“Keaton is one of the most gifted students I have ever had the privilege of working with. Keaton’s art work has great maturity. Keaton’s self portrait reminds me of the great artist Chuck Close. What I like about having Keaton as a student is that he listens so well and constantly wants to improve.”