Even though parents cannot walk into their child’s school and see the walls decorated with student artwork or attend an in-person art show, students are continuing to improve their artistic prowess and express themselves.
More than 300 students submitted pieces to the second annual
Ninth Circuit Court’s Exhibit A: Family Court Art Challenge. The artistic variations to the theme, “I am strong because . . .” can be seen in the three virtual art galleries. To best understand the artists’ intent, watch the
awards ceremony to hear the winning artists’ statement.
Beatrix Tilley, a second-grade student at Blankner School, artist’s statement reads: “What makes me strong is love. When my family, friends and I come together, it forms love and strength.”
Jerry Demings, Orange County Mayor; Patrick Noze, Noze Art Studios owner; and Bridget Williams, OCPS Chief of Staff had the difficult task of choosing winners. They saw the widespread talent throughout the age and ability ranges.
In the
Elementary School division, the winners are:
First Place - Sophie A. Lebron, Vista Lakes ES
Second Place - Maya Diaz, Endeavor ES
Third Place - Samarah Davenport, Maxey ES
Honorable Mention - Tate Stanford, Baldwin Park ES
Honorable Mention - Beatrix Tilley, Blanker School
Honorable Mention - Jeremiah Wilson, Washington Shores ES
In the
Middle School division, the winners are:
First Place - Adriel Jonel Asia, Arbor Ridge MS
Second Place - Eliazar Ramirez Sanchez, Memorial MS
Third Place - Richard Powell, Memorial MS
Honorable Mention - Delia Camacho, ORJDC
Honorable Mention: Darelis Rivera, Memorial MS
In the
High School division, the winners are:
First Place - Daniel Demontagnac, Dr. Phillips HS
Second Place - Marie Fiemeyer, Dr. Phillips HS
Third Place - Elizavetta Makarenko, Dr. Phillips HS
Honorable Mention - Hannah Na, Dr. Phillips HS
The beauty of a contest like this is all students could participate.
Arts 4 All Florida is an organization dedicated to champion arts education and cultural experiences for and by people with disabilities. Andrew Patyna, from Baldwin Park ES, earned the organization’s elementary-aged Student of the Month recognition. Patyna has autism and expresses himself through his artwork. He has a YouTube channel,
Andrew’s Blue Wall, to share his artistic process.
In her nomination letter, his teacher Leisa Escobedo wrote, “Andrew’s drawings are very detailed as he adds finishing touches that you do not see in many children his age. I often think Andrew has a photographic memory and is able to take the picture from his mind to the tip of the pencil without hesitation and with all the detail of the original object or picture observed. He will frequently put his own twist on something he has observed and make it his own.”
In addition to his student of the month recognition, Patyna earned third place at the
2020 Education Guide Art Contest.
Looking at all of the talent in the various galleries, it’s no surprise OCPS earned the 2020 NAMM Best Communities for Music Education recognition.