May 2, 2022

The Little Elm High School sculpture program is celebrating after one of their students received a 5 and Gold Seal at the State Visual Arts Scholastic Event this past weekend.

Throughout the last several months, artists from different Texas districts prepare and out of the 31,000 entries, it dwindled down to 1,952 to make it to the VASE state compeition in San Marcos, TX.

"Getting to State is an outstanding accomplishment in itself," said Christopher Melia, scupture teacher at LEHS. 

This year Andrea Salamanca, Catherine Kang’oroti, Kiera Clements, and Alex Geiser were amongst the 1,952 to make it to the State level.  At the State Event, the work is juried by jurors from all over the state consisting of “College professors, retired and current art educators, professional artists, and photographers.” They rate the works with a 3, 4, or 5.  The 4’s and 5’s receive State Medallions.

Rating 3 – Andrea Salamanca - Senior - Div. 3. "Realization"

Rating 3 – Kiera Clements – Senior - Div. 4. “In Bloom”

Rating 4 – Catherine Kan'oroti – Freshman - Div. 1. "Jealousy"

Rating 4 – Kiera Clements – Senior - Div. 4. “Inevitability”

Rating 5 – Alex Geiser – Junior - Div. 3. “Coulrophobia”  

"Of the 1,952 State Entries 150 of those received a rating of a 5 and Gold Seal Medallion.  This is the highest honor of recognition at this competition. ALEX GEISER received this award.  This was a first for our Sculpture Program. This year that put her in the top .5% of all the entries throughout the state to receive the award," said Melia.

Geiser's piece will be on tour until November:

June 6 - August 12 @ Glassell School of Art

August 22 - September 23 @ Arlington ISD Center for Visual and Performing Arts

October 3 - November 4 @ Austin ISD Performing Arts Center

November 10 - 12 @ Texas Art Education Association Conference in McAllen

Mr. Melia and Alex Geiser. Her piece was the article cover photo.