“Art at the Capitol” Student Awards presented

“Art at the Capitol” Student Awards were presented by Minnesota State Senator, Paul Utke during a ceremony held at Clearbrook-Gonvick High School Auditorium on January 18, 2018 with family members and others in attendance.

Realizing the role that art plays in the cognitive development of young people, Senators at the state Capitol including Paul Utke headed up the Art at the Capitol program. They sent letters out to schools calling for entries. According to Clearbrook-Gonvick Art teacher Linda Brown, teachers and school board members voted on the art to enter from the school. She did not vote for obvious reasons and she then submitted them by the deadline and a few weeks later Principal Burgess got a telephone call from Senator Utke. He said he would be traveling to the school to give out awards.

Justyce Auginash, an 8th grader received first place overall and received two awards. Brown matted and framed the artwork before the ceremony. She also gave a speech about their appreciation of Senator Utke’s recognition of the importance of art in education. Art also enhances problem-solving skills, encourages students to think outside the box and exercise critical thinking skills. Brown also spoke about the joy of being able to spend her days with these creative young people. Every day she is  amazed at the ideas that the students express through the visual arts. She thinks she has the best job in the world! 

Each student winner gave a short artist’s talk about the conception of their work prior to Senator Utke speaking and presenting the awards. In his speech the senator said the students work would be seen by thousands of people. The students told Linda Brown their hearts skipped a beat when they heard that. Hers did too! She also said, “It is a very exciting project to be involved in and the ceremony, attended by students and family’s of the winners, was a joyful celebration of the creative young minds attending CGHS.”