Schiesher Student Receives Honors at Conference

from Lisle Community School District 202

At the recent Illinois Art Education Association annual conference held at the , Lauren Etzkorn, a student,  was one of only forty young artists across the state to have their artwork selected for recognition as an Outstanding Youth Artist.  In her selected piece, she created a Chinese scroll using black ink for the bamboo forest and the panda.  She also added a red ink Chinese colophon seal and wrote her name in gold Chinese characters, then as a final touch added real bamboo for the ends of her scroll.

Her teacher, Nancy Staszak, explained that the colors Lauren chose had significance. 

"Red is a traditional color in Chinese art. Artist seals are almost always red and red represents good luck and blessings.  The colophon in Chinese art is the artist's seal, characters that represent the name of the artist, poet or whoever is authenticating that they made or approved of the scroll."  Ms. Staszak noted, "I am excited when students can not only extend their artistic talents, but also learn about other cultures at the same time."

Lauren was thrilled to be selected, "I felt happy and excited. I've always loved drawing and it felt great to get an award for something I enjoy doing."

In addition to Lauren's success, the conference was also an opportunity for Lisle District 202 art teachers Venessa Hardy and Nancy Staszak to share their expertise with others as both presented workshops at the conference.  Hardy, the 2010 IAEA High School Art Teacher of the Year, presented a session on Raku Firing. Staszak taught a session on 3D Dragon Masks.