More than 100 arts supporters gathered this past Saturday to see high-school students compete in Arts Across Arkansas State Finals at the WestWind School for Performance Arts. About 55 students competed in the third-annual mentorship program-and-awards event.
“Arts Across Arkansas is a vital bridge between high school creatives and working professional artists in our state,” said Matt Boyce, Arts in Education program manager and creator of Arts Across Arkansas. “One day, these young creatives will join our state’s $306-million creative economy, helping to preserve and perpetuate Arkansas’ quality of life through the arts.”
Arts Across Arkansas serves as major platform for young creatives who seek professional development and a platform to showcase their artworks in multiple genres. Students at state finals received personalized guidance and support to refine their work in the categories of: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Visual Arts, Film, Photography and Literary Arts.
This year, students from 16 counties competed in six different arts categories. The top three competing students were selected for awards by independent judges. Winners were announced by Arts Council Director Patrick Ralston.
First-place awardees earned $1,000; second-place awardees earned $500 and third-place winners took home $250.
Winners were:
Dance Choreography
1st Place Kiara Davis - "Beauty in the Chaos" - Hot Springs World Class High School
2nd Place Maddison Arnold - "Women in Men's Field" - Hot Springs World Class High School
3rd Place Megan Burris - "Scenes of an Asylum" - Hot Springs World Class High
Music Composition
1st Place Faith Wesley - "Parachute" - ASMSA
2nd Place Bryce Jackson - "Paris 1944" - ASMSA
3rd Place Matthew Carter - "Goku" - ASMSA
Literary Arts
1st Place Halie Cook - "Dollar Store Collar" - ASMSA
2nd Place Kit Colletta - "Like a Bird Trapped" -ASMSA
3rd Place Saylor Ross - "Homecoming Queen" - ASMSA
Film
1st Place John Sullivan - "Tinted" - Hot Srings World Class High School
2nd Place Makenna Kutzschebauch - "Dioramas of Death" - ASMSA
3rd Place Jaime Hernandez - "Spring" - ASMSA
Photography
1st Place Gracie Riley - "Reflection of a Queen" - Star City High School
2nd Place Weston Dial "Reaching Higher" Star City High School
3rd Place Scott Hansen - "Sawyer Hill" - Arkansas Arts Academy
Visual Arts
1st Place Robin Dinwiddie - "Sweet Strength" - Arkansas Arts Academy
2nd Place Coley Rogers - "Self Portrait" - ASMSA
3rd Place Aleksandra Sasha Bogan - "Aleksandra" - Little Rock Central
Finalists who went through the program said they loved having the ability to connect with their peers, professional creatives and arts educators. They were inspired by what other young creatives were creating, they said.
Teachers who nominated students to compete and attended the Finals event pointed out the program offers encouragement, education and creative expression along with opportunities to build business skills and confidence.
“Arts Across Arkansas gives student (dance) choreographers the opportunity to be recognized for their original creations, said dance teacher Amy Bramlett Turner. “Choreography is an artistic and academic expression of student voice, and now, because of this program, students can connect to mentors who are professionals in their field and be celebrated at the state level.”Click HERE to download photos from the event. For video interviews of students, please visit our YouTube channel.