Many times we measure a student’s potential by marks in a grade book, but on Jan. 7, 2012 The Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory in Manassas, recognized the artistic achievements of teen visual artists and poets in the eight annual Off-The-Wall reception.
Students from across Prince William County and City of Manassas participated, and 299 students submitted their work in the art competition alone. Though there were but a handful of winners, additional artwork as selected by the judges, was also displayed in the media room gallery.
Poetry winners received the honor of reading their poetry at the reception, and all winners received plaques and small monetary prizes.
“It’s a beautiful opportunity to showcase our talented students. The gallery is really a great venue to see their work on display,” said Deborah Barnard, Coordinator for the Arts at Prince William County Schools.
Brittany Crow, a sophomore and creative writing student at Woodbridge Senior High School’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, was the first place winner in the poetry category with “Artist.”
“I tried not just to use a lot of figurative language, but to actually make it metaphorical,” said Crow, whose poem compares dance with other artistic pursuits.
Ashley Holder of Bristow was the second place winner with her poem, “The Two Sided Mirror.” The ninth grader has never
taken a writing class before, but hopes to take one next year at Patriot.
She summarized the “Two Sided Mirror” as an attempt to explore life’s complexities.
“It has a lot of meaning,” said Holder, “At one point it takes (the perspective) of how life is a game, and in another part it shows out the painter is displaying life in his painting. Maybe the painter is being painted himself.”
Like Crow, third place winner Phebe Ciemny, whose “Poetry Reading” celebrated the written and spoken word, is second year writing student at Woodbridge.
All of the poets said they wanted to put a different spin on the assignment, which asked them to incorporate the phrase, “Engaged in Art.”
Visual artists also created thought provoking pieces.
Winners in the visual arts category included first place Christine Colatosti from Osbourn Park High School, second place Emma Jamison of Forest Park and third Place Della Sigrest of Osbourn Park.
Self-taught photographer Colatosti’s work, “Floating” pictures the artist suspended in mid air. Colatosti said she digitally layered photos to create the art piece, editing out the chair on which she was lying, and using a tripod and automatic timer to capture herself a the model.
While visual art winners were all from outside the Brentsville district, five art students from Patriot High School were featured in the art exhibit including three photographers.
Patriot visual art teacher, Jennifer McIntyre said, “I think it is a really nice opportunity for students to see what other schools are doing and to be given the opportunity to be in a gallery and in a contest.”
As a new school, McIntyre hopes that more Patriot students will be represented in the future, but added, “We’re very proud of the kids who were in it this year.”
One of the students McIntyre praised was Azalea Scott, whose mixed media work featured four stages of man throughout the aging process. She composed the background of the piece with pages ripped out of a book, circles letters to read, “This is your life, and it’s ending one minute at a time.”
Scott said it is a metaphor for life, which she saw as images on a film reel, progressing from one image to the next until the movie is complete.
This is the eight year that The Candy Factory has held its student art competition with Lockheed Martin as its exclusive sponsor. Representative Nancy McLoda of Lockheed Martin made a statement that art is important for teenagers as a means to express their thoughts and emotions.
However for many teens at the exhibit also hoped pursue a career in the arts, such as OP senior and third place winner Della Sigrest, who expects to attend a prestigious art school in the fall.
As for Ana Misa, gallery director of the Candy Factory, she is looking forward to continuing the tradition of “Off the Wall” far into the future, believing it is important to teens in the community.
“The students have the opportunity to shine, show their best, prepare for college and their future, and it builds the community. There’s a lot of support and we couldn’t do it with out our sponsors,” said Misa.
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