My colleague, Ben King in communications captured it well:

Sixteen students performing an acapella number via ZOOM. A student performing a dance routine on her couch. Students sharing their inspiration in video clips from bedrooms and studios across the state. All this and more from the 47^th Annual Superintendent’s High School Art Show, held virtually this year for the first time.

With a virtual art show there were many “firsts” including having jurors from the central and eastern part of the state, performing arts segments, and inviting the public to get creative with ekphrastic poetry – poetry inspired by art. 

If you’d like to be inspired by this showcase of arts education in Washington, you can see the entire program here. You can see all of the 113 entries in this year’s art show here.

We appreciate the many, many people and organizations who came together to make the virtual art show possible. In particular, we want to thank the coordinators of the regional art shows at the Educational Service Districts across the state and the Washington Art Education Association (WAEA), who has been a longtime partner with the art show in recognizing excellence in the visual arts.

Thank you for all that you do in service of the arts in education,

Janet Hayakawa, Program Supervisor
The Arts - Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Janet.Hayakawa@k12.wa.us
Office: 360-725-4966             
Cell/Text: 360-764-6157

Art by: Z. Stinebaugh " Eyes of Art" (Participant in 2020 High School Art Show) ) 

International Thespian Excellence Awards

Earlier in the academic school year over a thousand student Thespians from all over the State of Washington competed in the International Thespian Excellence Awards.

The International Thespian Excellence Awards, or Thespys for short, recognize the highest level of achievement in school theatre performance (acting, duo scenes, group scenes, solo musical, duet musical and group musical) and technical theatre (costume construction, costume design, short, animated, documentary film, lighting design, makeup design, scenic design, sound design, theatre marketing, and stage management). This educational program gives Thespians the opportunity to receive constructive feedback on prepared theatrical material and technical designs.

This year 225 students received Superior ratings, with 707 students receiving Excellent ratings.  In addition, 16 high schools in the state received Honor Troupe recognition.  The individual results can be viewed on the Washington State Thespians website http://www.washingtonstatethespians.com

Ekphrastic! 

Ekphrastic is poetry inspired by art! To see what we mean, check out some of the winning poems in this year’s Ekphrastic below and beside each one, view the art piece that inspired it. Now you try! Check out all of the entries in this year’s art show here and get creative! For lesson plans and more information, click here.

I'm a little bit scared of these shadows in my soul
A little bit frightened by the pain I carry around with me
A little bit horrified of the nightmares I've trapped inside
A little bit terrified of the voices in my head
A little bit petrified by the scars that mar my soul
Just a little bit… piece by piece
Until I am nothing but a thousand little bits
Scattered in the wind
Crashing to the floor
A thousand little bits

Poetry by Victoria Hathaway inspired by artwork, "Desolate” by Liahna Shahbazi

As I sit and mourn the loss of those who I love
Whose lifeless bodies once gave me some of my most cherished memories
I wonder how I got here and will I ever get out
Of this pit of depression
Will I be able to laugh again
Or feel anything remotely happy without them near me
Will I be able to love someone else as much as I loved them
So I sit with these questions racing through my brain
And I say my final goodbyes

Poetry by Sarah Emery inspired by artwork, "Loss” by Daba Eugene Phillips

I wanna be fast
If I'm not first I'm last
Six hundred horses stomp the ground
Soaring in Circles till the sun goes down
Twenty four hours or charging through the night
Just to be stomped out in early light
Being fast doesn't make you fast
Just make sure I'm not last         

Poetry by Liam Porter inspired by artwork, “Autumn Season” by Joshua Allen Farrar

2020 Washington State High School Photography Competition - Deadline June 30th 

Who may enter: Students in grades 9-12 currently enrolled in a public, private or alternative high school in Washington State. Students may enter up to ten images. The cost is $3 per entry.

If you plan to ship your entries it is recommended you do so no later than Friday, June 26th so they arrive in time for the deadline.Visit Kenmore Camera here for full details.

Questions? Contact Kelly Atkinson at kellyatkinsonphotography@gmail.com

Artwork by O. Benson-Gregory, Lakeside H.S. Photography Competition 2019 1st place - Architecture

Nominations Open for Photography Education Awards - Deadline July 1

The Society for Photographic Education, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting an understanding of photography in all its forms and related media, is now accepting nominations for its 2020 Honored Educator Award. Eligible nominees must be full-career educators who have made a significant contribution to the field of photographic education. The award will be presented at the SPE Annual Conference held next year in Denver, Colorado. 

Image: Society for Photographic Education, Off the Web, On the Wall 3

Early Learning Arts Integration grant  - Deadline September 18

The Creative Start Regional Grant Program seeks to close the opportunity gap by supporting and expanding regional and multi-regional arts integration efforts. The grant supports professional learning opportunities in arts integration for educators serving students in preschool through 3^rd grade.  Grants up to $25,000 must include at least three school sites in one ArtsWA defined region. Grants up to $35,000 must include two ArtsWA defined regions. For more information and to apply, click here.