By: Holly Ford—
Muncie, IN —Muncie Central junior Casey Myers earned a Silver Key in the 2017 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. According to the organization’s website, “the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards has grown to be the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition initiative for creative teens, and the largest source of scholarships for young artists and writers.”
Myers’ artwork was chosen from over 2,800 submissions in the Central and Southern Indiana region. Only 105 Gold Keys and 182 Silver Keys were awarded. Those earning Silver or Gold Keys have the opportunity to attend creative summer programs tuition-free through the Scholastic Awards Summer Scholarships program. Scholarship winners can attend day camps, boarding programs, and pre-college programs at one of various partnering locations around the country.
Myers will be notified by April 5, 2017, if she was selected for a scholarship.
Myers’ style is a unique blend, drawing inspiration from painters Jenny Saville and Elly Smallwood, as well as her art teachers Mr. Anderson (South View) and Mr. Husman (previously Central). She specializes in an unrestricted portraiture style, employing broad brush strokes and altering features to differ some from reality.
“When I paint I like to capture mood,” Myers said. The whimsical “Morado” was her first oil painting. “I wanted to practice it on a lighter note,” she said. As she became more comfortable with oil painting, she captured her own serious side with the self-portrait “Powerless.”
Myers’ artwork was also accepted in the 2017 High School Junior Art Invitational at IUPUI’s Herron School of Art + Design. “Powerless” will be on display in the Herron Galleries from April 8-22. Prize winners will be announced at the exhibition opening reception on Saturday, April 8.
Myers is currently launching herself as an artist by completing local commission work and saving her money to attend college and purchase a car. When asked what art means to her, she said, “Everything. It’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
The Muncie Community Schools (MCS) serve approximately 6000 students from Muncie and the surrounding area. MCS provides a range of diverse opportunities for children as well as adult basic education. For more information about MCS events, programs or services, please contact Ana Pichardo, Director of Communications at 765-747-5210 or apichardo@muncieschools.org. Follow MCS on Twitter @MuncieSchools and like us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/MCS1Official.
