Moorcroft art students compete in Casper

Moorcroft students will be joining the 56th annual Wyoming State High School Art Symposium again this year. The event starts on April 17 and is open to the public on Thursday, April 1 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Ford Wyoming Center, in Casper, WY.

The Wyoming Secondary Art Educators (WSAE), sponsors of the event as well as coordinators, are excited about the estimated 5000 pieces of student artwork anticipated to be on display and the approximately 1500 students, 75 high school art teachers, several colleges and art institute representatives expected to participate in this affair. This is a free symposium and is the largest of its kind in the United States.

The itinerary includes art students taking part in various competitions and activities on Wednesday evening and, on Thursday and Friday, demonstrations, workshops and presentations are available.

The awards banquet will be held on Thursday evening where several art scholarships are presented by the sponsoring organization as well as many colleges throughout the state.

The Congressional Art Awards will be announced. These are selected by independent judges from the Rocky

Mountain Region and include 24 outstanding pieces of two-dimensional artwork and one selected piece to be honored in a display at the nation’s capital, along with additional runners-up pieces that will be displayed throughout the offices in Wyoming.

A companion exhibit, 3-Dimensional Artistic Discovery, has been created to show the range of 3D work by students state-wide with ten to 15 pieces chosen by outside jurors.

First Lady of Wyoming Jennie Gordon will also attend with a team to select artwork from each county for display in the governor’s mansion throughout the year.

The Wyoming Secondary Art Educators Association recognizes outstanding art teachers, too and a display of art works created by Wyoming high school art teachers is exhibited during the event at the Nicolaysen Museum in downtown Casper.

There will be professional art and various other prizes to be raffled to raise funds for the WSAE art scholarships. In addition, a silent auction of professional artwork benefits the WSAE scholarship fund and symposium with winners announced on Friday before closing of the exhibit at noon.

Donors and sponsors from around the nation provide recognition for Wyoming art students and educators. The Wyoming High School Art Symposium is sanctioned by the Wyoming High School Activities Association.