Attending and competing in VASE 2018 on Saturday at Prosper High School, it was one of the most inspiring events of the school year.   

At 7:30 a.m. a bus full of artists, whom I felt inferior to because of their immense talent, headed to Prosper with their hard works of oil paintings, pastel drawings, watercolors etc., anxiously anticipating the day ahead.

When we arrived, our teachers checked us in and wished us luck as we headed into the auditorium for qualifications. At qualifications, volunteers looked over the artwork to make sure it met all requirements and was eligible for the interview that proceeded once given our time slots and room numbers.

The interview was where each student would be judged and on a four point scale; one being ‘accomplished’ and the lowest score, and four being ‘superior’ and the highest score possible.  

I had one of the first interviews at 8:30 a.m. Nervously, I headed to the room and waited in a chair as another interview was finishing up.

As the classroom door opened, my interviewer and I shared greetings and I took a seat across from her desk, my nerves ceased to exist.

The lady who interviewed me was intrigued by my mixed media piece and asked who it was, to which I answered “my grandpa.” She continued to ask other follow up questions about my techniques, purpose, and why I chose to paint my grandpa for another few minutes.

Then she asked if she could tell me something, I said yes, and she went on to say that her uncle was an animator for Disney.

Amazed, I nodded my head and found myself repeating words like “wow” and “amazing.” Then, she said something; something that struck a chord with me.

My interviewer said something along the lines of “my uncle was good, I know good, and this is good,” as she looked down at my artwork.

After that interview, a smile could be seen on my face as I headed to the cafeteria where the art students and teachers were meeting up, waiting for the highest rated art to be displayed in the gyms.

Around 10 a.m., volunteers began to transport the four-rated art to the gyms, which were separated based on division; Division I (zero to one year of art) all in one gym, Division II (two years of art) in another, and Division III and IV (three to four years of art) together in the arena gym.

Heart pounding, I walked to the Division I gym, finger crossed that I made it on the floor.

Entering the gym, walking to through the rows of artwork and seeing my grandpa’s colored-pencil-and-watercolor face filled me with excitement and pride.

Although knowing my score of a four was a big relief, it also made me subconsciously compare my art to others instead of fully admiring and appreciating them.

Later that day, the final results were announced, to which I learned I did not advance to state. Though I’m saddened with the thought that my VASE competition is over, the experience was unforgettable and I am proud to be one of the best in the region, as well as one of the 40 students on campus who was rated ‘superior’ .

I am more inspired than ever to practice my art and learn new techniques and processes in order to produce the best work possible. With a year of VASE under my belt, I know what to expect for the following years.

See you soon, VASE 2019.