Flagler Palm Coast graduates inducted into ArtWorks Hall of Fame

A panel of three Flagler Palm Coast High School graduates showed different routes that the arts can take you, but they agreed on one very important piece of advice: You have to do what you love.

Graduates Katy Garrison, Noah Marks and Danielle Zirkelbach were invited back to their old Bulldog stomping grounds to be inducted into the FPC Arts Hall of Fame, at the fourth-annual ArtWorks program, sponsored by the Flagler County Art League, with a grant from the city of Palm Coast.

The auditorium was filled with current FPC students the morning of Tuesday, March 26, as well as School Board members, teachers and FCAL members, as they all listened to the three honorees tell of the trials and triumphs they've experienced as artists in their own fields.

"Whatever you want to do, you really have to push yourself," said Zirkelbach, a professional international artist. After realizing art was her calling, she sold all of her belongings and moved to Hawaii in 2010. She waited tables for eight years to make ends meet, while pursing her painting and surfing passions. "Do it because you love it; the days you're tired, push harder."

Noah Marks, a principal architect at Content Architecture + Interiors, stressed the importance of embracing the process, not the product — to not rush to be the best or to reach some kind of finish line, but to appreciate each moment of the journey there.

"Try a thousand things," Marks said. "When you decide to be an artist, don't put yourself in a box."

What's the craft for you? Painting? Sculpting? Photography? Graphic design? Architecture? Trying your hand in many methods helped Marks find his passion, he said.

Garrison echoed Marks' sentiments. Having a father who's a graphic designer inspired her to become one today; but she still explored different possibilities before realizing that graphic design was the right field for her.

Her advice to future artists is to find inspiration — in people, in the world, in your life — and to practice, practice and practice. You never stop learning, Garrison said.

You can't achieve success alone though. All three awardees voiced the countless friends, family members and mentors who inspired them and helped them get to where they are today.

As Ed Beckett asked the awardees questions about their journey to success, you could see the pride in his eyes with every answer. Beckett, an FPC teacher, is the the ArtWorks founder. Through their presentations, they noted their appreciation for his help, along with help from others, like former FPC art teacher Sheila Crawford, who taught from 1977 to 2005.

Flagler Schools Superintendent James Tager presented each inductee with their awards. This is the second ArtWorks he's attended, and he said it's his favorite event, as he's inspired by the passions and talents of the graduates.