Distinguished Artists program brings student art to the community
The Distinguished Artist Awards were presented to 16 East Troy Middle and High School students before the May 12 School Board meeting.
The Distinguished artist awards are given to students who’s artwork has been selected by local businesses. In order to be eligible for this selection students were in middle school or high school and either received a blue ribbon at the East Troy District Art Show were chosen by their teachers to be eligible for the award.
This year there were 16 works of art that were sponsored by a local business. The sponsorship from businesses provides framing as well as $25 for each student selected. The artwork is hung at the sponsors business for three years after which the artwork is returned to the student.
The Distinguished Artist Award program started in the 2003-04 school year. The first year there were five participating businesses and it has grown to have 16 sponsored art works this year.
“This is a great program that enables the students to have their artwork on exhibit for the public to see,” says High School art teacher Lori Puls. “I feel very proud of the students when I go to places like the Citizens Bank of Mukwonago or eat at The Grist Mill and see the students art hanging on the wall.
“I am also grateful to the area businesses that see the value in creative artwork and sponsor the students. I would like to give a special thanks to Citizens Bank of Mukwonago as they have sponsored a student artwork every year since the program started. Sue Budzien of Quality Custom Framing has also matted and framed all the artwork since 2003-04 school year.”
Artists who are having their artwork displayed are:
• Reese Billings, Blowing in the Wind, Allen Integrated Systems – Ann Zess;
• Kayla Grzenia, Moonlight Mountains, Allen Integrated Systems – Ann Zess;
• Danielle Silvestri, A Place Inside, East Troy Tax Service – Eric Kramer;
• Kim Castro, A Pair of Pears, Chef To Order – Troy Strand;
• Rachel Gilpatrick, Springtime, Citizens Bank of Mukwonago;
• Hannah Williams, Sunset on Bulah, Plymouth Tube Co. – Troy Vande Yacht;
• Alisha Reyes, Starry Night in Rome, Quality Custom Framing – Sue Budzein;
• Megan Weigold, Zimbabwe Sunset, East Troy School District Buildings and Grounds;
• Deanna Progreba, Me Through My Eyes, East Troy School District – District Office;
• Katie Aldred, Carrots, Wisconsin Oven Distributors – Tina Strand;
• Devon Glish, Girl on Fire, Wisconsin Oven Distributors – Tina Strand;
• Emma Harris, Abstraction from My Garden, O’Leary Plumbing and Heating – Debbie O’Leary;
• Justin Krusenbaum, Skies Over Colorado, East Troy Lions Public Library – Renee Mouilso;
• Molly Olive, Field of Poppies, East Troy Lions Public Library – Renee Mouilso;
• Faith Goetsch, Georgia O’keeffe Flowers, Kiwanis Club of Greater East Troy – Sara Rubel; and
• Lexi Oswald, A Hibiscus Garden, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute – Smaranda Andrews.
