Q&A with Scholastic Art award winners

Thomas Chan and Nandita Subbiah

Pictured above is a self portrait by Latoya Nurse. WSPN interviewed four students who won Scholastic Art Awards.

Dasha Bobrova – Junior:

What awards did you win?
I won a Gold and Silver Key and an honorable mention.

Was this the first year you entered? Was this the first year you won something?
No, I entered every year that I’ve been at the high school for and won something every year. My freshman year, when the school was only allowed to enter 10 pieces total, I won a Gold Key. I won a couple of Gold and Silver Keys last year too.

What inspired you to make the pieces of artwork you entered?
I got my inspiration from a wide variety of sources. Some of the inspiration for the pieces I entered included [Vincent] Van Gogh work, the idea of movement in everything, the irony of creepy abandoned amusement parks and the bold, sharp, dramatic edges and general feel of ordinary playing cards. But that’s just a short summary, I find inspiration everywhere.

Are you taking an art class?
Yes, I take Art 4, and I also take an out of school art class.

Abby McCarthy – Sophomore:

What award did you win?
I won an honorable mention for my acrylic paint, “Land’s Sake.”

Is this the first year you entered? Is this the first year you have won an award?
This is my second year entering, and the first year I have received recognition. Last year I entered one pencil drawing. This year I entered a color-aid paper collage, an oil painting and an acrylic painting.

What inspired you to make the pieces of artwork you entered?
My subject matter is Lands’ Sake, a farm near the Framingham Library. I went there to pick strawberries with my mom every summer when I was little. My mom is a professional artist, and we often paint together. I was surprised that this painting won because it took only three and a half hours to complete, while some of the other pieces I entered took up to 12 hours.

Are you taking an art class?
I’m currently taking ceramics, but paint is my favorite medium because I love bright colors, and I also often paint on weekends and in Ms. Armentano’s room during frees.

Eric Snow – Junior:

What award did you win?
An honorable mention.

Is the first year you entered? Is this the first year you won an award?
This is the first year I entered and my first award.

What inspired you to make the piece(s) of artwork you entered?
I was inspired by my life experiences and my surrounding environment.

How and when did students enter the competition?
We submitted a photo and form online with a check around the beginning of January.

Were you taking an art class when you entered the competition?
Yes, I am in Art 3.

Latoya Nurse – Senior

What award did you win?
I won a Silver Key

Is the first year you entered? Is this the first year you won an award?
This is my first year entering and my first art award.

What inspired you to make the piece(s) of artwork you entered?
I liked how the white charcoal looked against the black paper

Were you taking an art class when you entered the competition?
Yes, I’m taking Honors Art 3.