Down in the art room here at Hoover High School, senior artists have been hard at work creating many different pieces throughout the school year. Some of our very own talented artists have recently had their pieces qualify for the state adjudication, a very hard achievement to make. Three seniors, Ava Skolnik, Ella Kamyszek and Teagan Murphy all had pieces selected for this year’s competition. 

Art teacher Mr. Christopher Triner shares that what the judges are looking for are mainly unknown. However there are certain things that are known to be looked for. 

“We do know they look for high craftsmanship, attention to creative/original thought, and an ability to visually communicate a distinctive point of view,” he said. 

While this is many different components that go into qualifying for state, the art work normally doesn’t take months. Skolnik, an art state qualifier, shares how long her art pieces take her to complete. 

“Each of my three pieces that qualified had been worked on for about a week in a half to two weeks at max,” she said. 

The students that qualified for state are each in the advanced placement art program. The whole year is dedicated to a topic of choice that the artwork must follow for their final portfolio. 

“The individual work will vary from 2-3 weeks,” Triner said. “They spend the year developing a broad range of ideas on the topic all year.” 

With each of these artists spending around one to two weeks on their and still creating many more pieces afterwards calls for a need for inspiration. Kamyszek shares how she stays inspired to keep working on her art. 

“My biggest inspiration is all the girls in my art class,” she said. “I love all the different work I get to see everyday in class.” 

Inspiration is different for each of the artists. Skolnik shared that her inspiration comes from her grandma, who has continued to grow through her life. 

“We believe that creativity is a muscle that if you’re willing to stretch it each and every day in class, it will pay off in the future with greater results,” Triner said. 

The art teachers at Hoover are willing and ready to help push the students to be the best they can be. 

“My art teacher Mr. Triner has been a big help in my art career,” Kamyszek said. “He always gives me strong advice that pushes me beyond my comfort zone to create better work.” 

All of the students give significant credit to the hard work of their teachers. However, besides the teachers, the peers have also helped push each other. 

“As well as the other students for criticizing so I know what needs fixed to the eyes of others,” Skolnik said. 

The help of everyone around them is what pushed them to work so hard on their art work. To hear that each had pieces make it to the state level was truly amazing. 

“I was excited after I found out my work made it to state they are very selective about what makes it,” Kamyszek said.

Each artist is excited for what may come after their art is judged at the state level. They are very proud of their work and how far they have come no matter what the outcome is. 

“My advice to my younger self is to never give less after a success, there is always more to learn,” Skolnik said. 

These three artists are patiently waiting for their results back from Columbus. Whatever happens, these three are very proud of what they have accomplished this year. 

“I’m hoping to possibly win something at state level but I’m happy with the outcome either way,” Kamyszek said. 

They have grown up doing art, forever becoming better with each project they complete and reflecting on their journey. 

“I would tell my younger self to be more patient and it takes time and practice to improve,” Kamyszek said. “You’re not going to become great overnight…and to be kinder to the work I make.”