Our AP Art Students Attend the Beachwood Arts Council’s Ileen Kelner Juried High School Art Show, an

Five More Minutes, oil paint, 36x48.

Lara Ketonen

Last month our AP Art students participated in the Beachwood Arts Council’s Ileen Kelner Juried High School Art Show at the Beachwood Community Center. Two of Aurora students received awards-Josephine Hydell received 1st place and a Cash reward for her oil painting, while Lara Ketonen received an Honorable Mention for her colored pencil drawing.

In response to winning 1st place, Hydell said, “I gotta go home and work on another painting now, but it was a bit of an ego boost.”

Ketonen said, “Winning an award at any of these competitions feels great as you are being recognized for all the hard work you’ve put in. The Beachwood Arts Show was fun to attend; lots of interesting and unique works.”

The show was centered around appreciating young artists. The winners weren’t announced until after the awards were given-which really gave everyone time to look at everyone’s work with an open mind.

“I love attending art shows to see the difference types of projects the artists around the community have done. Seeing all the different styles and mediums being used inspires me to try new things with art,” said Ketonen.

“It was really cool to see what other people did in person, not just a photo of their work,” Hydell commented.

Hydell also said, “We got to meet and talk to the judges after to get feedback face to face, one was from the CIA ( Cleveland Institute of Art). There was cake and ice cream after, and little cards, and free coupon to get a t shirt with your art on it.”

Hydell’s winning piece, 5 More Minutes, was sent straight to the Governor’s Art show-which has a scholarship prize.

AP Art teacher Sean Berrodin commented, “These artists are working at the highest level within a nationally recognized program. AP Art is the culmination of a passion and commitment that spawned long before the class begins. Through their aspirations and a need to create and express students challenge themselves with an extremely demanding and thought-provoking course that demands excellence. The results are phenomenal. The students’ portfolios as seen throughout Aurora’s hallways reveal their level of quality and education, as do their countless awards and acclamations. I am very proud of these artists and their works.”

Here at AHS our AP Art students are provided with all the support to cultivate the skills needed to be a successful artist. Next time you see art in the hallway, take a longer look, appreciate the effort your fellow student has put into expressing themselves.