Published On: May 7th, 2017By 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.

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Artwork by Anum Badat

Congratulations to the students who competed at the 2017 Junior Visual Arts Scholastic Event. Several earned Silver medals and Superior ratings.

A total of 13 school districts comprise the Region 4 event. The students undergo evaluations and personal interviews. The event awarded AISD students with 109 Superior rating honors and 85 Excellent ratings. Out of the regional AISD entries, 13 received Silver medals.

The 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.

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Grantham Academy Silver medal artwork

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

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Grantham Academy Silver medal artwork

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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Grantham Academy Silver medal artwork

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.

Silver medal artwork by Aeja Brown @ Plummer MS

“Aldine ISD showcased their talent at JrVASE,” said Kelley. “A total of 96 percent of AISD entries earned a 4 or 3 rating. I‘m proud of the students’ hard work and creativity.

“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. Our art teachers are amazing. They help students recognize their artistic talents.”