Seabreeze students display art

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

The show will run at the museum throughout the month.

A new show opened at Ormond Memorial Art Museum that Director Susan Richmond says is popular not only with local residents, but also with visitors who just happen to stop by.

It’s not art by an established artist, or from some new breakout star, it’s art from the Tradewinds Art Show held each year at Seabreeze High School.

“I had a couple from England stop in and they said they were so glad they stopped,” she said at the reception for the show on May 9. “People are consistently impressed by the quality of the work. And they like seeing what’s on the minds of young people today.”

The Tradewinds Art Show, a tradition at Seabreeze High School for more than 40 years, is a juried competition, judged by professional artists. After the show at the school, the works are displayed at the museum every other year. The current show will run through May 29.

Lisa Botkin, one of the art teachers at Seabreeze, said it’s a popular tradition.

“The entire school goes to the auditorium to see the art,” she said.

Botkin said it’s good for the students to prepare for a juried competition, because they pay attention to the elements of style and principles of design. On the other hand, she doesn’t want them to be concerned about not winning or getting an honorable mention.

“I tell them Van Gogh never sold a painting in this lifetime,” she said. “If you don’t win, that doesn’t mean your art doesn’t have merit. The same art might win another competition.”

The other art teacher at Seabreeze, John Richmond, said it’s good for students to get rated by an independent judge.

“They get an unbiased opinion from an objective observer,” he said.

Best of Show winner Yong Zheng, an11th grader at Seabreeze, .said she plans to have a career in art but hasn’t decided on whether to do studio art or graphic design. She finds art to be very relaxing.

“When I paint my mind goes blank,” she said. “I don’t have to think about things. It’s a stress releaser.”

First place winner Cat Baker, a senior, only practices art as a hobby, and was surprised when she won.

“I forgot they had awards,” she said. “I just entered because I enjoy it.”

She said she has always enjoyed art, and found it a good way to express herself, but plans on being a forensic pathologist.

Alexis Rovegno, a senior, won second place for her ceramic piece.

“It was inspired by Disney and Tim Burton,” she said. “Burton’s art has a dreary and dreamy feel at the same time.”

The art was judged by James Harper, a local art dealer, and Andrew Sovia, a surrealist artist from New York.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and from noon to 4 p.m. on the weekend. Call 676-3347.