Ace of Images: February 2012

Spotlight - Hicksville High School's Art Department

Hello to everyone! As you know, in addition to Ace of Images photography and fine art, I am a photojournalist for the Crescent-News of Defiance, Ohio. That's right, most of my weekends and evenings are spent with crazed fans 9months out of the year, haha (and I LOVE it!). I've always been a basketball fan, but an additional benefit to covering this indoor sport is that I sometimes wander around and find the Art Department's display case.

Folks, we have some talented kids in this rural little area we call "Hoosierhio". When not playing on their newfangled inventions and connecting with each other on their "mybooks", and "facespaces" , and being "pinned" to lord knows what now (I say this all in good fun), they MUST be soaking up SOMETHING from their teachers (in addition to soaking it up faster than we ever could via the previously tweaked/mentioned sites).

This is the future of our world. Future graphic designers, future marketing gurus, and future creative people in any job sector who will be the leaders of the pack who dare to think outside the box in your industry.

Hicksville middle and high school art teacher Mike Silliman's students have produced impressive photography in the past and the current group of students do not disappoint. As someone who was often a frustrated teenager toiling over artwork striving, for perfection (ok... I still do this, yes, but it was a more traumatic deal in my youth) and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts, it's a treat to see the growth in their work. It's neat to see the fundamental elements of art being learned and honed. Color, shape, texture, and more all lead to some pretty interesting compositions. Particularly, I love that they seem to be really focusing on incorporating depth of field --haha, pun not intended but appreciated-- and using it as a means of pulling the viewer's attention to a specific area of the subject.

All in all, WELL DONE, and keep it up!

I am posting some photos I snagged uber quickly (so no, not MY best work, lol) on the way out out the door in a hurry to meet deadline for the Sunday paper. I did not have enough time to do this work full justice, but that's alright... because hopefully this will motivate you to take action:

Seek these kids out and support their work! Offer some words of encouragement: tell the kids WHY you like their work and what specifically drew you to the piece. (this will prepare them for reviews and critiques in college and the work world)
Offer them a scholarship--- WOOT!!! nothing says: "I believe in you"like a benefactor! :D It's $50 for a textbook or student version of Adobe Photoshop... help 'em learn!
Say THANK YOU to Mr. Silliman(middle and high school) and Jen Hopps (K-6 art) for encouraging our youth and shaping our future creative employees.
Support the arts by visiting student shows or donating needed items.