Showcasing their pieces, VASE sends four Redhawk artists to state

The+Texas+Art+Education+Association+%28TAEA%29+has+awarded+Frisco+ISD+the+2023-24+District+of+Distinction+Award+for+the+fifth+year+in+a+row.+This+puts+Frisco+ISD+in+the+top+1.3%25+of+all+visual+art+programs+across+the+state.

Aaron Boehmer

The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) has awarded Frisco ISD the 2023-24 District of Distinction Award for the fifth year in a row. This puts Frisco ISD in the top 1.3% of all visual art programs across the state.

Aaron Boehmer, Sports Editor

Artists from across Region 10 gathered at Prosper High School on Saturday for the annual VASE competition, with four students advancing to the state contest in April.

“I felt relatively calm about VASE because I’ve done it before and I put in all the effort I could,” junior Zoe Meeker said via text. “This event introduces you to different styles and the different ways people can reimagine common topics, for example, family. Some may interpret family with a sense of togetherness in a colorful setting, while others see it as a monochrome peace of finding comfort in an object that reminds someone of family.”

Advancing to state for the second time, Meeker finds more satisfaction in knowing how much work she put into her two pieces.

“I know I created pieces that I poured my time and heart into, so making it to state is like a happy afterthought, as arrogant as that sounds,” Meeker said via text. “I suppose I’m mentally preparing myself to not be disappointed if I don’t get a gold seal, highest honor, because that is my goal. But I’m also trying to go with the flow while remaining confident in my pieces.”

Seeing the effects of the competition firsthand, art teacher Pernie Fallon believes students gain a broader perspective after participating in the event.

“This event helps art student because it’s very exciting to see what other students from around the region are doing,” Fallon said. “It inspires for future artworks that they may do, and it also helps them with critical analysis of their own work in comparison to other students.”