Aspiring artists draw inspiration from recent experience

Observer Staff

1/25/2005 12:00:00 AM

Several Aabizikaawin Adult and Alternative Education students have drawn from their artistic talents to have their works showcased at a premier cultural and fine art museum.

Each spring over a thousand Native students in grades 7 through 12 from across Indian Country have the opportunity to exhibit their artwork at the world famous Heard Museum in Phoenix, Ariz. during the Native American Student Art Show and Sale.

This year, local students Lyle Pego, Heaven Wemigwans, Phil Jackson, Tahsheenah Foley, Joey Gonzalez and Aaron Hendrickson were represented at the March 26-31 show.

Students submissions are chosen by grade and media type. They are judged by a professional team, with one first place, two second places and two third places awarded for each category. Cash prizes and ribbons are given to the first through third place winners.

Work submitted and displayed at the show by the local students included: a pastel drawing of a wolf by Phil; Tahsheenah sent an oil pastel of a medicine wheel; Heaven submitted a pastel drawing; Aaron turned in a linoleum block print; Joey chose two pen and ink drawings and Lyle selected two of his pen and ink cartoons.

Lyle and Joey each sold one of their pieces, while Aaron's linoleum block print, "After Andy Warhol" received a ribbon for first place overall in the seventh through ninth grade division for print making.

The Heard Museum Show is an excellent opportunity for the students to learn how to market and sell their own artwork, according to art teacher Becky Allen.

"In next year's show we hope to have more Aabizikaawin students be able to view the work of their contemporaries by traveling to Phoenix to view the show," she stated.

The students credited their teacher for her guidance and faith in them.

"I never thought my artwork was good enough to get first place and I'd really like to thank my teacher Ms. Allen for inspiration," explained Aaron. "She kept me on the right track and would not let me quit. It made feel like it was a good experience."

Both Lyle and Joey hope to take their talents to the

"I like to draw all the time," said Joey. "I have drawn more in the past six months than since I was nine. I will enter the art show next year if I can. I have the ambition

His words were echoed by Lyle.

"I feel cool about drawing," he explained. " I've drawn all my life. I also plan on being a professional cartoonist artist someday. It was also great that I did sell one of my pieces this year."

The mission and philosophy of the Heard Museum today is to "educate the public about the heritage, the living cultures and arts of Native peoples, with an emphasis on the peoples of the Southwest," according to the museum's Web site.