Perry recently showcased its student’s artwork at the Chandler Unified School District Juried Exhibition held at Chandler Center for the Arts. The show opened April 23rd and closed May 10th. The Pumas had multiple winners, including: Fabiana Estrella-Enriquez, Kelsey O’Brien, Abby Tameron, Rachel Soldo, Skylar Walcutt, and Kaylynn Ruff.
All Perry art teachers chose ten pieces from their students’ work to be submitted. The categories included, painting/drawing, photography, design and sculpture.
Fabiana Estrella-Enriquez won second place in Traditional Photography with her piece.
“I have never been in a contest. I didn’t know I had that much talent. I knew I liked [my work], I just never knew other people liked it too.” Estrella-Enriquez says.
Senior Kaylynn Ruff won second place in the sculpture category. “I was shocked, but I knew I was still going into art, so winning or losing wouldn’t have affected me in that.” she says.
“It’s a great thing that we do this, because we get to see other high schools’ work and see where our kids stand,” Art teacher Lorena DeCristofaro says. “We’re the youngest high school and we competed against very well-established art programs who have AP, and we don’t.”
“Contests are not necessarily a reflection of how good someone’s work is.” Photography teacher Elizabeth Tompkins says. “But it’s good to be in a gallery, to be able to critique fine art, and to have your work compete against other work, and to have it displayed.”
Tompkins added, “I think there’s a discipline in the craftsmanship, and framing, and having the public come see your work. And that, to me, is more important than winning.”
