"WATER IS LIFE" ART CONTEST

Le Sueur-Henderson High School Artist
Receives Scholarship at State Art Contest

Bradley Johnson from Le Sueur-Henderson High School earned a scholarship at the state “Water is Life” Art Contest sponsored by the Freshwater Society on May 6 at the Gray Freshwater Center in Excelsior.

Johnson was one of six artists chosen from 29 semi-finalists from around the state who artfully expressed the theme “Water is Life.” Semi-finalists were chosen at regional events held in April by participating service cooperatives. The Freshwater Society gave more than $5,000 in scholarships at the evening’s reception. A keynote address was given by naturalist Sandy Spieler, artistic director of In The Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre.

Entries focused on the theme “Water is Life” through conservation, degradation and contamination, and futuristic resourcefulness. Art media included sculpture, flat surface art and video. All semi-finalists were recognized for their participation in the event with a certificate of participation, a trophy and a small scholarship. The semi-finalists and their entries were introduced, followed by a reading of the artist’s statement.

The $500 scholarship recipients were:

• Quanzakari DeChiara-Crillion – Perpich Center for Arts Education – Karen Monson, art instructor
• Alixandra Biwer – Kasson-Mantorville High School – Marilyn Fredrickson, art instructor
• Meghan Reistad – Elk River High School – Räna Nestrud, art instructor
• Sarah Olson – Eden Prairie High School – Melanie Ebert, art instructor
• Bradley Johnson – Le Sueur-Henderson High School – Shannon Froelich, art instructor
• Luke Muyskens – School of Environmental Studies – Amy Levine, art instructor

Congratulations are also extended to the other south central semi-finalists, Megan Chilman from Le Sueur-Henderson High School, and Hannah Miller and Ciara Sandborg from Maple River High School, who were chosen from a pool of 19 art pieces representing six area schools at the April 15 regional competition hosted by the Carnegie Art Center in Mankato.

Last year’s contest produced amazing artwork that was displayed in the North Corridor at the State Capitol and at other events in the Metro area. The “Water is Life” Art Contest has been recognized by Governor Tim Pawlenty and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Educating citizens about the importance of freshwater resources has been the primary activity of the Society since its inception in 1968. The Society recognizes that art is a valuable tool to convey important messages and encourages senior high artists to communicate the significance, value and beauty of water through their artwork.
For more information on this contest, visit the South Central Service Cooperative website: www.mnscsc.org, or the Freshwater Society website: www.freshwater.org. Event Contact: Joyce Swenson, jswenson@mnscsc.org or (507) 389-2461