Students Win Scholarships for Artwork

For the past 40 years, the Shemer Art Center has hosted the New Horizons High School Student Art Exhibition, where two upperclassmen art students from each participating school are selected to have their artwork featured.  This year, five Dysart Unified School District students took home a total of seven scholarships from the event, and one student sold her work at the museum.    

This year’s winners were Delilah Brown and Parker Fisher from Valley Vista High School, Kaylee Bernal from Shadow Ridge High School, and Yeni Landaverde and Jaylan Williams from Dysart High School.

Delilah Brown, a second year art student, earned three scholarships for her ceramic piece, entitled "Seashell Tea Collection."  The coral motif was inspired by her love of the sea and her desire to share that love with her mother.  Delilah sold her award-winning artwork at the show, and even met with the buyer.  She plans on continuing Ceramics classes into her senior year.  

Parker Fisher won for his painting, "Horseshoe Bend," inspired by the Arizona landmark of the same name.  He is currently working on his nature themed portfolio, using photographs he has taken himself as references.  Parker is an adventure-seeking Advanced Placement Art and Design senior who enjoys sharing his artistic knowledge with his peers.

Kaylee Bernal took inspiration from her everyday surroundings to create her winning graphite drawing, "Bedroom Floor."  She has taken Visual Art courses all four years and is in Advanced Placement Art and Design.  She is also an accomplished dancer and cellist.  Kaylee is in her senior year and plans on becoming a dentist.    

Yeni Landaverde won for her frog adorned lemonade set, "Leaving the Lilypad."  Her ceramics teacher of the past three years said Yeni is, “a kind and gentle person who lights up (the) classroom each day.”  As a senior, she chose the amphibious design because it represents good luck and new beginnings, something she hopes to have as she embarks on her next chapter in life.

Jaylan Williams’ piece, "Shattered," is based around the stages of grief.  Jaylan, a senior, has taken fine art classes at Dysart all four years of high school and is currently in AP Studio Art.  According to his art teacher, he has a “passion for creating that expands beyond school hours, spending hours working on his creations.”  

Shemer Art Center is open Tuesday - Saturday, 10AM to 3PM.  The New Horizons High School Student Art Exhibition runs from January 10 through February 15, 2024.