Published On: June 9th, 2016By Leticia Fehling

Aldine ISD Art Students Win at Regional Junior VASE

Sixth, seventh and eight grade artists show their creative talent and earn top honors.

Emily Pérez is among the Aldine ISD students to earn Silver Medals at JrVASE. Above is one is one of the Grantham Academy student’s pieces.

[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]C[/dropcap]ongratulations to the students who competed at the 2016 Junior Visual Arts Scholastic Event. Several earned Silver medals and Superior ratings.

A total of 13 school districts comprise Region 4 event. The students undergo evaluations and personal interviews. The event awarded AISD students with 171 regional honors. Out of the regional AISD entries, 13 received Silver medals.

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“Living Proof” by Majorie de León @ Hambrick MS

The [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) has sponsored the JrVASE program since 2000. The JrVASE program is the only art event of its kind in the nation. Students bring works created in their art classes to compete at regional event. Jurors evaluate their work based on a standards-based rubric. Students must also show their understanding of the art processes. They must be able to relate the processes involved in the development of their work.

Only academically eligible sixth, seventh and eighth grade students can take part. They must also be enrolled in Texas schools. The Regional JrVASE Event is the culminating event for this grade level. There is no State Event for JrVASE.

A panel judges the students’ works in the following key areas:

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Technical expertise[/li] [li]Originality of concept[/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-search”]

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Artwork by Emily Pérez @ Grantham MS

[li]Understanding of the essential elements[/li] [li]Interpretation of the student’s stated intent[/li][/ul]

Professional TAEA members judge each student’s artwork at the competition. They use a rating standard to award based on the quality of the work.

Regional JrVASE Rating System

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Rating 4 Superior[/li] [li]Rating 3 Excellent [/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Rating 2 Average[/li] [li]Rating 1 Below Average [/li][/ul]

Students compete on three different experience levels depending on the student’s grade level. All sixth grade students take part in Division I (White). Seventh grade students compete in Division II (Red). All eighth grade students along with Pre-AP and IB students vie for honors in Division III (Blue). Students receiving a Superior rating in each division receive an award.

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“The Crane” by Paloma Cruz-Reyna @ Grantham Academy

A panel reviews all artwork receiving a Superior rating. A set percentage of artworks with Superior ratings received the coveted Silver medal. Those artworks selected by this panel based on a percentage will receive a Silver Medal. TAEA will post images of these artworks on its website.

Dr. Michaelann Kelley lauded the students’ accomplishments and the work done by art educators. Kelley is the program director of fine arts.

“Aldine ISD had a great JrVASE showing,” said Kelley. “AISD students receive 13 Silver medals. And we had so many students earn Superior ratings. They all demonstrated excellent work.

“Earning Silver and Superior ratings is no easy feat,” added Kelley. “It takes a lot of extra work in class and outside of the regular school day. I am proud of the students’ hard work and creativity. I have to also mention our art teachers. They help students recognize their visual arts talents.”