One of the biggest art contests of the year in Texas is Saturday at Prosper as students on campus take part in VASE.

“VASE gives you the ability to compete with a piece of artwork,” art teacher Jeb Matulich said. “It’s kind of like art’s UIL.”  

In order to compete, students must meet certain requirements.

“You can’t use anything trademark, licensed, celebrity, any of that kind of stuff,” Matulich said. “It needs to be all original-style themed artwork.”

Students competing will be taken by bus to Prosper and showcase their artwork in front of judges who will rank the piece out of four, with four being the best. But while the art is the focus of VASE, the event is about more than that.

“VASE helps with speaking skills because students have to present and talk to the judges one on one,” freshman and PAP Art I student Siya Sakhardande said.

The students who receive fours will have the chance to advance to state.

“When you’re at state, it’s not as big of a deal,” Matulich said. “They pick a small percentage of those from each category and give you a gold seal.”