Principal's Art Choice Award Announced

"So many to choose from"...."can you narrow it down any?"....."do I have to pick only one?"...."it's too hard to choose"....."the artwork is amazing".....  I hear these same thoughts and questions year after year when the principal has the honor and responsibility of choosing one piece of artwork that will be named the Principal's Art Choice for the entire year.  It's not an easy assignment when there are hundreds of creative pieces to choose from....but yes, I do narrow down SOME.  This year there were around 50 pieces of 2-dimensional works of art that principal Anne Watson got to peruse.  Normally there is a lot of weeding out, rearranging, and mind-changing that takes place before the final selection is made, sometimes even days later, but unbelievably, this year the choice was quick and easy.  The 2012-2013 Principal's Art Choice goes to Kaldon Lee for his chalk pastel drawing of Morning Glories.  Kaldon also received an honorable mention award for this beautiful work in the NSMS Art Show.  Morning Glories will be framed and hung in our schools growing and permanent art collection.  Congratulations Kaldon! 

2013 NSMS Art Show

Well, the2013  North Stanly Middle School Art Show was a huge success.  There were approximately 70 pieces of artwork on display from May 2nd through  May 10th at the Falling Rivers Gallery in Albemarle. There are several groups and people that I want to thank for helping make this show a success.  First of all I want to thank the gallery, along with the Stanly Arts Guild for allowing us to utilize their gorgeous gallery space and for printing posters for our show.  I also want to thank Joshua Cross from Pfeiffer University who volunteered to judge our show.  After putting up all the artwork and seeing the display I do not envy his task at all, but again, we appreciate the time he took to judge and make comments on our work.  And last but not least, I want to thank the NSMS staff for providing the refreshments for our parent/student awards reception.  The evening was a huge success and I think everyone who attended were impressed by the creative talents of our students. 


 And the winners are (along with Joshua Cross's comments)......

1st Place - Hunter Smith (6th Grade) with his oil pastel Picasso Portrait. 
Judges comments:  strong shapes, colors and a sense of referencing art history without simply copying it.

2nd Place - Grace Benfield (7th Grade) with her Australian Kiwi Bird Sculpture.
Judges Comments:  Strong use of materials (and "outsider" materials at that).  Humorous and approachable subject matter presented in a delicate manner.

3nd Place - Makayla Shaw (8th grade) with her clay Frog. 
Judges Comments:  Strong use of color and humor.  Excellent craftsmanship.

Honorable Mention - Mariah Helms (6th Grade) for her Romero Britto Still Life Painting.
Judges Comments:  Excellent composition and use of textures.

Honorable Mention:  Josh Hudson (7th Grade) with his clay Dragon Incense Burner.
Judges Comments:  The little details make it work.  Good colors.

Honorable Mention:  Kaldon Lee for his chalk pastel Morning Glories.
Judges Comments:  Good composition.  Subtle colors and line.