By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
On Sunday, April 28, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts’ annual High School Area Art Show will conclude its month-long run.
Among the students whose artwork has been on display during the show are six from Plainwell High School, with that group supplying nine total entries.
Madeleine Dodds, Jacob Erdody and Laura Groner each had two of their pieces chosen for inclusion in the show, while Hailey Fisher, Mariana Jensen and Alex Thornton each had one.
Regina Beltowski is the art teacher at Plainwell High School.
“When I first received the notification of our students’ acceptance into the show, I was excited and thrilled for them,” she said. “They work extremely hard on their artwork and it is a great honor to be accepted into the show.
“This year’s acceptance rate (for Plainwell High School) compared to previous years is at a record high. I feel honored to be their art teacher.”
The entries for the Plainwell students were:
- Dodds: “ZigZag”—charcoal on sketchbook paper; and “Bits and Pieces”—charcoal on construction paper.
- Erdody: “Beaver Mits”—leather; and “Wheeler”—ink fingerprints.
- Groner: “The Book Thief”—acrylic paint; and “Winter Memories”—India ink/colored pencils.
- Fisher: “Charcuterie”—felt/string.
- Jensen: “Small Pie”—ceramic/acrylic paint.
- Thornton: “The Aura”—digital print.
To be considered for the art show, students first had to complete an online submission form. The juror for this year’s show, Faisal Abdu’Allah, then selected the entries that would be included.
The show featured submission from students residing in Allegan, Berrien, Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties.
“Art is a universal language that connects us locally, nationally and even globally,” Beltowski said. “Art challenges students’ perspective and conversations about art can help us gain empathy for one another and start important conversations among each other.
“Art also helps our thoughts and feelings take up physical space so we can understand ourselves and communicate something about ourselves to others.”
Students whose artwork is chosen for inclusion in the show are also eligible for scholarships and awards.
The following PHS students received such accolades: Fisher received Kirk Newman Art School and Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design scholarships; Dodds received a University of Olivet scholarship and the KIA Directors & Curator’s Award; Groner received a Kirk Newman Art School scholarship; and Erdody received a University of Olivet scholarship.
“We are very fortunate to have such a strong art program and a commitment to the arts here at Plainwell High School,” PHS principal Jeremy Wright said. “Mrs. Beltowski and our students are excellent examples of what is good in public education.”
