The people have spoken: CB Miller (left) and Lucy Budde (right) are winners of the People’s Choice Awards at Nederland Middle-Senior High School’s art school Art at Altitude. Miller won at the high school level and Budde won at the middle school level. The pieces they produced were phenomenal.[/caption]

The students at Nederland Middle-Senior High School (NMSHS), at 8,234 feet in altitude, have shown their work annually at the school’s art show Art at Altitude since 2012.

The judges for this year’s show were Karina Vogt, Jessie Colter, and Seth Colter. At the end of judging they said, “It was very difficult judging this show. So much of the work was very good and in many cases it came down to subjective reasoning, which is often the case when judging something creative.”

Middle school students were judged in three categories – drawing, painting, and 3D art. High school students were judged in five categories – photography, painting, drawing, 3D art, and digital art.

Families and the community came to the show on April 26. They enjoyed experiencing the art, and they voted on the People’s Choice Awards. They also heard soothing music from senior Owen Cleveland and eighth grader Evelyne Stanton. Cleveland played some light tunes on the electric guitar, while Stanton played the Russian-style prima balalaika. The school was redolent of the arts that evening.

Amazing artists and art: Middle school painting winners (left to right) Lucy Budde, Molly Wasil, and Naima Bullings. Top, right: Middle school drawing winners (left to right) Evelyne Stanton, Olive Dias, and Caiden Stackpole. Bottom: Forest Concert by CB Miller. This piece won first place in Digital Art and People’s Choice - High School.[/caption]

Art teacher Theresa Redmon began the awards ceremony by describing the art students and the art classes at NMSHS. She also spoke about the Legacy Murals that were started at the school in 2023. These are large paintings created and executed by seniors who volunteer. This project was started to bring more art into the school. Currently, two murals are being painted.

The entire evening was a celebration of all the artists and their art. Nederland Middle School art teacher Judie Sievers said, “I was overjoyed to celebrate the talented young artists of this community tonight. I’ve seen so much growth in student work this year. The seventh and eighth grade art students always rise to the occasion! Our half-face portraits and two-point perspectives were very challenging drawing projects, but these students stayed committed and produced some beautiful work!”

The instructors guiding the students in their work are art teachers Theresa Redmon and Judie Sievers, photography teacher Dan Wade, and industrial arts/woodworking teacher Mark Mabbott.

The area outside the school library and the art rooms became an impressive gallery with all the works of art on display. The young talent that is in the school and in our community is profound. Congratulations to all the NMSHS student-artists!

Let’s be a community that encourages our youth to express themselves through the arts. Support the art activities at the local schools. Show up at activities, donate money or materials, and spread positive encouragement.

The show will be moved to the Kaleidoscope Fine Arts Gallery in Nederland until the end of May. The Kaleidoscope Fine Arts Gallery is located at 20 Lakeview Drive, Suite 210, Nederland. They can be reached by calling 303-949-3590.

Sponsors for this year’s show are Indian Peaks Ace Hardware, Busey Brews, Nature’s Own, Salto, New Moon Bakery, Wondervu Cafe, Crosscut, and Kathmandu Restaurant.

Forest Concert by CB Miller. This piece won first place in Digital Art and People’s Choice - High School.[/caption]

The artists who took home ribbons this year

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Drawing:

3rd place - Caiden Stackpole

2nd place - Olive Dias

1st place - Evelyne Stanton

Painting:

3rd place - Naima Bullings

2nd place - Molly Wasil

1st place - Lucy Budde

3D Art:

2nd place - Rocco Stueck

1st place - Honor Kier

HIGH SCHOOL

Photography:

3rd place - Lauren Schrader, Ash Trumble

2nd place - Ty Williams

1st place - Leonardo Fillippello

Painting:

3rd place - Eliza Brundege

2nd place - Payton Kutscher

1st place - Abigail Hess, Drew Hertzfeld

Drawing:

3rd place - Cedar Shupe

2nd place - Teaghan Hartman

1st place - Echo Siglin

3D Art:

2nd place - Teaghan Hartman

1st place - Abigail Hess

Digital Art:

1st place - CB Miller

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

Middle School: Lucy Budde

High School: CB Miller

NMSHS is alive with art: High school painting winners (left to right) Abigail Hess, Eliza Brundege, and Drew Hertzfeld. [/caption]

High school photography winners (left to right) Leonardo Fillippello and Ash Trumble.

First place in People’s Choice - Middle School, Building Street by Lucy Budde.[/caption]