Gallery exhibits high school art

More than 90 pieces of artwork from 86 high school students covered the walls and sat atop pedestals of the Eide/Dalrymple Gallery during the annual Augustana High School Invitational in January. 

The exhibition spanned from Jan. 11 to Feb. 2 and concluded with a reception in Hamre Recital Hall on Feb. 2. The event included awards, open studios and tours of the Center for Visual Arts.

Thirty-two art teachers from 16 South Dakota and southern Minnesota high schools were involved in the invitational, as each chose three of their students to participate.

“I think one of the key things about [the invitational] is that it allows these younger artists to have their work on display in a professional space,” Lindsay Twa, the director of the Eide/Dalrymple Gallery, said. “It’s their chance to see not just what art is being made in their high school but across a whole region.”

The Augustana studio faculty voted to select the winners from the showcased artists, awarding one first-place prize, two second-place prizes, three third-place prizes, 10 honorable mentions and four juror special commendations.

Winners received art supplies and certificates for their achievements.

Haley Summers, a freshman from Jefferson High School, was awarded first place for her portrait of Cameron Boyce in graphite.

“I was really surprised I won because it’s not my favorite thing I’ve ever made,” Summers said. “It was really exciting though.”

Summers said she hopes to participate in the invitational again next year.

“I’m always really excited to show people my art,” Summers said. “When it’s in the gallery, it’s kind of cool to stand by your work and see how people comment on it.”

Adam Ericsson, assistant director of admissions for Augustana, said the event is not for recruitment efforts but rather to celebrate young artists.

“It’s an opportunity for high school students to submit their works of art to get judged, to get displayed in our Eide/Dalrymple Gallery and to come to campus and see what a university art department looks like,” Ericsson said.

Eleanor Teerink, a junior from Worthington High School, said she enjoyed being a part of the invitational.

“I think it’s a good opportunity to meet people similar to me,” Teerink said. “It’s cool to experience the [university] and to also get inspired by all the other works, see what other people are thinking and what they create.”

Teerink said she hopes to pursue an art major in college and, afterward, an art career.

Sierra Erickson, a senior from Roosevelt High School, said her favorite part of the night was meeting people and seeing other students’ artwork. 

“It’s cool to see other artwork from your same grade level and even younger,” Erickson said. “It’s just crazy to see all the talent and everything.”

Ericsson said he believes the connections the students made were one of the most important parts of the night. 

“The people here in the Augie art department are world renowned,” Ericsson said. “They’re well respected, so making a connection with these people really helps these young artists grow.”

Twa said she believes the event is important because it gives art students a place for encouragement and support.

“There’s such a huge emphasis on sports at the high school level,” Twa said. “This is an opportunity for us to cheer and make more visible what the arts programs are doing that is incredibly impactful for the lives of these students.”