The distinct cacophony  of wedging clay against a tile, a pottery wheel whirring, and water being sprayed onto a cast with clay might seem chaotic for some, but for Junior Domino Williams this is routine as she prepares her art piece for the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE).

This year, three students – sophomore Shirin Gohil and juniors Madison Jackson and Kendall McKinney – advanced to VASE State 2023 after earning a perfect score of four on their artworks. 

“I went to state last year as well, which was really awesome and [it’s] exciting that I’m doing it again,” junior Kendall McKinney said. 

At the region and state competitions, students are given the opportunity to view other artists’ work as well as the artists’ creative interpretations of it.

“The artworks on display at the VASE competition are the most special,” Williams said. “Not just because they are [at] the main event, but because it’s always fun coming together to share and celebrate your artwork along with others.”

But to present these artworks at VASE, students must first go through the long process of planning their artwork from scratch to holding the finished piece in their hands. Williams and many other students drew inspiration from meaningful experiences and their surroundings to create their pieces.

“First, I casted my face and pressed clay into the cast to make a face of clay for my piece and made a scalp for the hair,” Williams said. “Next, I made the tool box with my dad with the spare wood pieces we have in our garage. When everything was done firing, I decorated everything I could with red and gold paint and red spray paint.”

While Williams created 3D art inspired by her father, McKinney created a tapestry that mirrored her past experiences and the nostalgia those memories bring to her. But the procedure itself was meticulous.

“My project was crochet, [so] it was a bunch of different processes,” McKinney said. “For a good chunk I was just planning and patterning on paper; but after that I was just on the crochet grind. It was often hard to get all six balls of yarn out and crochet. So I’d either have to start at the beginning of class and just grind crochet for all of class, or I would not be able to work on it.”

The experience not only allows artists to gain exposure to the technicalities of art but also provides an opportunity to see the self-expressions of artists through their work. However, the competition also forces students to accept harsh criticism and suggestions about their work. 

“It gives you extra motivation to put your heart into something, [but] I do have to acknowledge that judging art is ultimately a biased process, so the experience can be hurtful for other people,” McKinney said. “But I’ve learned [that] you just have to take it as a chance to improve your art and nothing more–the results do not decide the value of your art.” 

When taken with a “pinch of salt”, the competition has not only proven to be a learning experience but has also helped McKinney, Williams, and other artists grow closer with their friends, as well as interact with artists outside of Consol.

“It was my first time ever doing something like this and it was out of my comfort zone, but I was so excited to take part in it [and] I’m proud of my artwork,” Williams said. “I would [take part in it again], even if I don’t get a good score [because] I enjoyed the experience of celebrating art with everyone.”