Students fare well at state art symposium

Staff Report

Green River High School art teachers Denise Mosley, Shane Steiss and Sonja Higgins are impressed with how their students did at the Wyoming High School State Art Symposium.

“We had another great year with some talented artists who took 153 pieces to display at the Casper Events Center this past weekend,” Mosley said.

Green River artists were among 75 other high schools who displayed 4261 pieces of art ranging in size from small drawings to 10 foot tall sculptures.

“As a school we were awarded 52 ribbons for our work,” Mosley said. This means that one third of the work was awarded a ribbon. This is made more impressive when you know that only one fourth of all the work at the show receives a ribbon.”  

Steiss’ students that produce pottery and sculptures in the advanced classes really shined this year.

“We received ribbons on half of the pottery and sculptures that we took,” Mosley said.

GRHS had a few special awards and accomplishments by three potters in particular. Brooke Frantzen and Jordan Valdez were awarded a 3D congressional award.

Congressional awards are the most elite of the awards given out at state art. Only 25 3D works are awarded this honor by a special judge.

This work is transported to Cheyenne and will be displayed in the capital building over the summer.

“Another special accomplishment was achieved by Sidney Peterson,” she said. “All five pieces Peterson brought to the Symposium received a ribbon, she is an extremely talented artist and a senior leader in art.”

One final special award was given to a Green River artist Anna Harris, who was awarded a congressional award for a print she made. Harris also received a congressional award last year on a print.

“To my knowledge she is the only Green River artist ever to have received congressional awards in consecutive years,” she said.

“Harris is another senior leader and will be missed greatly next year,” Mosley said.

“The students that traveled with us to the show came home with a fire inside to create more work and have been sharing their experiences with the beginning students to light their fire,” she said. “Our department is very proud of our students at all levels and continues to push them to achieve greatness in the arts throughout their years in art classes in high school and beyond.”

Residents are encouraged to come and see the student’s amazing work for themselves.

The GRHS Art Department is hosting an art show the GRHS gymnasium May 1-3.

The artwork can be viewed during school hours or in the evening.