Ceramic Works On Display at National Convention in Florida

The National Conference on Education for the Ceramic Arts will hold a juried show for students K-12th grade in Tampa, Fla. March 30-April 2.

Two students from Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School were skillful enough to get their works into the final round of judging. Of 1,160 pieces of art entered, 150 made the final cut.

Sophomores Beth Allen and Lucy Sheahan, both age 16 will have their works on display for this coveted contest. Each contestant created a shoe of art and Allen did a Converse tennis shoe while Sheahan's creation is a high-heeled dress pump.

Their art teacher is Laurie Blaes, who has taught fine art at Villa for eleven years.

The young ladies had lots of fun with their creations. Art is an important part of their daily curriculum at the Frontenac school. Sheahan’s post-high school goal is to go to medical school some day. She believes a career in plastic surgery would combine her love of science with her love of art.

Allen is thinking more about a career utilizing art as a form of therapy.

“Oh my gosh I love art. This was the first time I’ve ever had the opportunity to enter a contest like this, and I’m glad my work was accepted,” said Allen.

The students were able to use visual images of shoes from their computers and actually work from the real models.

The students are not sure what to do with the shoes, once the contest is over. “Maybe I’ll make it a Mother’s Day gift,” said Sheahan with a laugh. Allen plans on keeping her tennis shoe for her portfolio.

Art is a big part of the Villa Duchesne curriculum. There are several spacious rooms in the art wing devoted to studio painting, pottery and ceramics plus computer-generated art.

Altogether, seven different classes are offered with nearly 120 students taking part. “I’m very pleased with the work of our students. They approached their work from their own original perspective and each and everyone of them came up with something totally creative and different,” said Blaes. The original works of art included flip flops, boots, wedge type shoes, and one decorated with the Cheshire Cat from the Wizard of Oz. Justifiably, the art teacher is very proud of the overall results.