by Jenna Sullivan, Staff Writer

With passion, drive and nearly a year of hard work, Central students dominated at this year’s Arkansas Young Artist Association competition.

The AYAA is a state wide organization that seeks to encourage student artists. The annual competition is its primary focus. This year, it was held at the Statehouse Convention Center on March 16. Students brought artwork from this year to be displayed and judged. Awards were given in several categories according to medium.

Students were thrilled to participate.

“It is really fun to see other artists’ work,” junior Sierra Fisher said. “It’s very inspiring and gives you new ideas. It allows young artists to show their work.”

While many of the 900 participating artists listened to keynote speaker Leonard Wren to start off the day, some chose to partake in the on-site competitions. Students were given prompts that day and were to create something within the set time frame. These pieces would later be judged as well.

Some students found the timed setting to be a bit pressured and intimidating.

“The on-site competition was a little nerve-wracking because I’ve never done a piece within a time limit before, but it ended up just being a fun, new experience,” Sierra said.

Junior Katherine Wise agrees.

“It was fun even though the prompt was dumb,” she said.

Then the students were given a lengthy break for lunch in the River Market. After that, the artists returned to the convention center for the awards ceremony.

Central artists picked up more than 70 awards, with several first places. Katherine was excited to receive her medal.

“It was so rewarding to win something,” she said. “All your hard work really pays off in that moment. A little competition is good for the soul.”

But whether they received an award or not, students kept positive attitudes.

“I didn’t win this year, but hopefully next year I will!” Sierra said.

In addition to the abundance of awards, seniors Audrey Lloyd, Libby Minshall and Henry Barker were given scholarships to either the Memphis College of Art or the Art Institute of Dallas.

“I’m so appreciative of that scholarship,” Audrey said. “Any amount of money helps.”

Central’s Art Club, sponsored by art teachers Rex Deloney and Jason McCann, supported and promoted the event.

“Mr. McCann made me do the competition,” Katherine said.

Students joined the Art Club not only to add to their college brag sheet but also to make important connections.

“I joined the club because it’s a great way to meet other artists at the school and see the kind of work they do,” Sierra said.

Ultimately, students get involved in Art Club and AYAA because they genuinely love art and all of its personal benefits.

“If you’re going through a hard time or have a lot of bottled-up feelings, draw or paint and you’ll feel a lot better,” Sierra said. “For me, art can be very relaxing.”

Katherine agrees.

Art is an “expression of who you are,” she said.

Painted by senior Anna Zurell

Painted by senior Audrey Lloyd

Painted by senior Audrey Lloyd