NHS senior wins First Lady art award
Kinlee Whitney
NLJ Reporter
What started as a young child finger painting in her bedroom turned into an impressionist artist winning a prestigious award. Newcastle High School senior Lyriquelle “Lilly” Peterson received the First Lady Award at the 53rd annual Wyoming state high school art competition, held the end of April, for her piece titled “Wildflowers.”
Every year, the Wyoming Secondary Art Educators Association raises money to hold the annual Wyoming High School State Art Symposium. The show, held in the Casper Events Center, is usually composed of 4,000 to 5,000 art pieces. This year, due to COVID 19 and “possibly even some budget restrictions,” only half of the schools attended the show, according to Jimmie Josephson, NHS art teacher. About 2,600 art pieces were showcased.
Students participating in symposium have the opportunity to win ribbons for their pieces. These ribbons are awarded by the art teachers, who select pieces they believe show “artistic merit,” Josephson said. Some 15%-20% of the pieces are selected for ribbons. Newcastle High School won three ribbons at the show this year. Two of the winners were Peterson’s pieces: “Wildflowers” and “Reinvention.” The third was “Illumination” by senior Rebecca Henkle.
Aside from winning ribbons, students participating also have the chance to be selected for various prestigious awards, one of which is the First Lady Award. The First Lady Award is a selection of pieces from the show that are chosen to be hung in the governor’s mansion for a year. The pieces are selected by the first lady, who is the governor’s wife. Only 50 pieces were selected for this award.
“I was excited,” said Peterson, about winning the award, “I’d never won anything in my life.” But Peterson said she felt guilty about the win. “I didn’t believe I should have won after seeing all the incredible pieces around mine.”
Peterson first attended symposium as a sophomore, though she didn’t submit any of her work that year.
“I remember wandering through the warm lit arena … and feeling a type of connection I’d never really experienced, from each piece.”
Peterson said her experience at state art her sophomore year inspired her to open up with those around her.
While Peterson always had a knack for artistry, Josephson said, her style as an artist developed gradually over time.
“She came with a very strong artist’s eye,” Josephson said, “but didn’t really develop her style until her senior year.”
Peterson’s art work started as “whimsical and surreal,” according to Josephson, but transformed into an impressionistic style as she grew in her art.
What sticks out most about Peterson as an upcoming artist is her creative process. While most high-schoolers spend days, sometimes weeks, on a single piece, Peterson is said to start and finish a work in “an hour, sometimes two,” Josephson said. Further, Josephson stated that this is not usually how high-schoolers paint because they often second guess their “flow.”
“With a lot of help from a very patient teacher, I’ve learned to follow through with any idea that prods at my interest,” Peterson said. “I very seldom know what my projects will look like after they’re finished.”
Peterson said she sometimes starts a piece because she simply sees a color she likes.
“Overall, I just want to convey an atmosphere,” said Peterson, “like the warmth of lighting, or the softness of a breeze. Subtle details and bright colors and lines are usually the distinction when it comes to my style and process.”
Because of her lack of organization in her creative process and “natural artists eye,” Josephson said, Peterson’s pieces always come together. “I’ve never really seen her make a failed piece.”
Now that she’s graduated, Peterson intends to continue creating. While she does aspire to eventually have a career in the creative field, she said that right now she’s just excited to take any opportunity she has for growth.
“I plan on living every aspect of my life as creatively and happily as I can,” said Peterson. “I still finger paint often.”