ARTS

October 2015 | Prowler

Freshmans Painting Displayed in Governors Office

by staff reporters
Jenna Ruiz, Justin Baham, Syeda Gilani

Along with 13 other pieces of artwork,

freshman Jessica Oskams painting was
selected to be exhibited in the Governors
office in celebration of the Texas Art
Education Association Youth Art Month.
I was really happy because my art teacher
was crying, Oskam said. She said that
this was the first time anyone of her

students had been chosen for an award

like this.
Each district selected 2-3 students,
and there were 105 students in the entire
competition.
My painting was a still life, Oskam
said. It was a violin over fruit and food,
and we had to show perspective. So, every
time I drew a line for a part of the picture
I would have to shift the direction another

way.
Oskam attended a ceremony for the
state competition where she and the 13
others were addressed by Abbott who
spoke about the Governors gallery art.
My dad and my sister were there,
Oskam said. I was proud because Ive
always loved art, and its something Ive
photo RRISD
been doing since I was little and I will Freshman
continue to do.
Jessica Oskam

13
Junior Jordyn Buckland shows her work called How to
Train Your Dragon.

Art Club Wins Most Original at Chalk Walk

by staff reporter
Delilah Rivera

Art Club members won second place for

most original in the high school division at the
Chalk Walk Festival held on Oct. 3. The Chalk
Walk, Round Rock Arts version of an Italian
street painting festival, was held at Centennial

Plaza. Artists created drawings on the

pavement with chalk pastels, while working in
front of the public.
There was a lot of original artwork, teacher
Kristi Houlthouser said. The kids spent at
least 12 hours, sitting on the concrete, some
even under the sun.

Hannah Greb, Kiara Torres, Matthew Nguygen and

Eduardo Serrano display their art at the Round Rock
Chalk Walk Festival.

photos couresty of Kristi Holthouser

Sophomore Erin Copeland presents her drawing of a

wood elf.

Art Support Sophomore Finds Passion in Creative Pursuits Helps Motivate Her
by staff reporter
Tyler Chasteen

I found in art, there are so many different

ways to branch off to, and in art you can do
whatever you want too, theres always room
for improvement, sophomore Shayna Stewart
said.
Stewart has been a serious student since
elementary school and has taken art classes
since she was in fifth grade. Along the way to
high school, she lost her dad, but never her
passion for art.
When I was in fifth grade, he passed away
from a heart attack, Stewart said. He was very
supportive, and he loved watching me draw.

He was an accountant, and I love math in my

education.
Now, in high school, Stewart still feels
support to keep continuing her creative
pursuits.
My mom is very supportive about art, and
I really want to be a veterinarian, thats why
there is such a big push on education, Stewart
said. I want to go into college to be working
on art as a hobby, while also working towards
my career as a veterinarian.
Stewart says her biggest struggle has been to
balance art and schoolwork, although she says
shes been managing.
A lot of the time when I want to draw, I

have to do math homework, or something of

that variety, Stewart said. But I always put
art at the end of my homework, so I can use
it like a reward at the end. If I know Im going
to do something I love, I can finish a bit faster,
and do art, because first theres education, then
theres art.
Stewart says shes lucky that art or education
has never been a choice shes had to make. Shes
had both in equal amounts.
In middle school, there was always art as
an elective, and I had my core classes, so they
didnt clash. It really helped, having art in my
schedule because it helped me just calm down
and be creative. It just helped me, instead of

hurting me.
Academically, the biggest hurdle in her
sophomore year has been her AP World
History.
I like the challenging classes because I
get the motivation to work harder and keep
with art. Art is still a class. I get projects and
sketchbook grades for that, but it hasnt been
too much. I havent been overly stressed, like
Agh, theres too much. I got used to it.
For the future, Stewart sees a continuation of
her balanced life.
I know education isnt forced, but I know I
need it to graduate, Stewart said. But, I want to
do art on the side to concentrate and relax.