EcoArt: Its Creative Effects Are Sustainable

An invitational, juried art exhibition for local high school students was hosted April 11-15 at St. Louis Community College-Wildwood. The “Sustainability: It’s an Art” exhibit represented the third year that college representatives invited students to engage in the show.

This year’s participating artists were from , , Rockwood Summit High School and Pacific High School. In the past, students from Marquette High School and John F. Kennedy High School also participated.

Two- and three-dimensional art work that speaks to an environmental consciousness through either the theme of the pieces or incorporated materials was solicited. Artistic teams from participating high schools were limited to 10 pieces of artwork with no more than five 3-D pieces allowed. Individual students could submit two pieces of artwork as long as they are in two different mediums.

Three overall winners were just named.  Alex McDaris of Lafayette High School received first place and a $250 award; Emily Perkins of Lafayette High School received second place and a $100 award; and Monique Mullen of Eureka High School received third place and a $50 award.  

Additionally, awards were given to artists at each high school.  Eureka High’s winners were Natalie Wilson, first; Kristen Lenny, second; and Taylor Lindhorst, third.  Lafayette High’s winners were Timothy Kuklo, first; Kelsey Heitkamp, second; and Alex Vanderheyden, third. Rockwood Summit High’s winners were Claire Ryterski, first; Kacey Bright, Madeline Owen, LaDaniel and Amenta Pitts, second; and Chelsea Adams, third. Pacific High’s winners were Paige Moultrie, first; Brie DiNovi, second; and Michelle Lawson, third.

Timothy Kuklo of Lafayette High School won the “People’s Choice Award,” which was voted on by all visitors to the exhibition.

Local sculptor Noah Kirby served as the juror of the exhibit this year. Kirby holds a master's degree in sculpture from Washington University, and currently teaches at Washington University and the University of Missouri, St. Louis. He worked for Cassilly and Cassilly Inc. at the City Museum, and owns his own business, N.K. Metalworks, where he produces custom ornamental and sculptural metalwork. One of Kirby’s sculptures, “That Wrens Make Prey” is installed on the STLCC-Wildwood campus as part of its Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit.

Exhibition artists and their families were invited to a special reception on April 14. Also attending the reception were Wildwood Mayor Tim Woerther, STLCC-Wildwood President Pam McIntyre, Joann Ordinachev, STLCC board of trustees, and many of the supporting high school art teachers.

The event is organized each year by Mark Weber, chair of visual and performing arts at the Wildwood campus.