Artists Talk About Their Work at GFWC Brandon Service League High School Art Show

Deep with emotion — and rich with technique and emerging talent — the art on display this month at Center Place reflects the work of high school students throughout Hillsborough County, many of whom, in a few words or less, had a lot to say about the passion that drives them to create.

“It becomes more of a passion as you get into it and you get better” said Shannon McGarrity, a senior at Bloomingdale High. “It becomes something more of what you do and it keeps going.”

The GFWC Brandon Service League in March aims to both nurture and showcase that passion by hosting the annual high school art show in the Mook Gallery at the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association in Brandon.

There, on March 10, a reception for the latest round of pieces included also an awards ceremony for the pieces that were adjudicated.

Award recipients in attendance, and in a group for a quick photo shoot, were asked before they disbanded to take a quick moment to answer a quick question: “Art, in a word or two, what is it?”

• “Expressing,” said Guston Joseph, a student at Blake High School, who received second place in the 2-Dimensional category for his piece entitled, “Scarf.” Reads the judges’ statement: “This is a well-executed idea, an excellent drawing with a very relevant message.”

• “Shapes,” said Yvenel Casseide, a student at Blake High School, who received third place in the photography category, for his piece entitled, “Edmond.” The judges' statement notes the work’s  “unusual composition” and “strength of lights against dark.”

• “Color,” said Carlee Crochunis, of Bloomingdale High, who received the Center Place Award for her piece entitled, “Abstract Oil #1.”  Reads the judges’ statement: “Center Place staff chose this piece of artwork for its vibrant colors and we loved the lines of the abstract piece. We all agreed it would be something that we would love to hang in our homes.”

• “Pushing the limits of what’s truly impossible,” said Jordana Carlson, also of Blake High School, who received first-place honors in the 3-Dimensional category for her piece entitled, “Alice in Wonderland.” Reads the judges’ statement: “ ‘How did they do that?’ comes to mind as well as the enjoyment of a familiar moment from literature.”

• “Expressing myself,” said Jessica Hilsbeck, a Durant High School student, who received second place in the 3-Dimensional category for her piece entitled, “Great Blue Heron.” Reads the judges' statement: “This work is fragile and familiar, a moment from our Florida environment, well-constructed and satisfying.”

• “Emotions,” said Lindsey Wassow, a homeschooled student, who received an honorable mention in the photography category for her piece entitled, “Raven Chain.” Reads the judges' statement: “Bold and dramatic, this mostly black- and-white photo allows the touches of color to sing. The reflected hot pink of the stage lights is brilliant.”

• “Challenging myself,” said Sarah Natale, a Bloomingdale High student, who received first place in the 2-Dimensional category for her piece entitled, “Frustration.” Reads the judges' statement: “Emotional and powerful, this excellent portrait in oil demonstrates a highly developed ability with color and the medium.”

As for Taylor Gaines of Newsome High, an honorable mention recipient in the photography category, words to describe what art means to him were elusive, yet he agreed with the assessment of his brother, who quickly stepped in to answer for the recognized photographer.

“I think he likes it because it relieves stress,” Jesse Gaines said. “He’s a very smart kid so he has a lot of stress.”

Heather Beatty and Deidre Bodiford, both of East Bay High, received first and second place, respectively, in the photography category.

For Beatty’s piece, “It’s Not a Game,” the judges' statement reads: “Wow! The message is clear, the execution is flawless and the impact remained long after I loved on."

The photograph features a young boy dressed in military attire.

“It was an assignment,” Beatty said, and the assignment was, “sand."

“When I though of sand I thought of desert and when I thought of desert I thought of war and soldiers who went there [Desert Storm]."

Bodiford said she likes photography “because you can capture the exact moment and it lives forever.” Her piece, entitled, “A Beautiful Waste,” reflected life in a dirty pond. Reads the judges’ statement: “The unusual composition of this work and the strength of lights against dark, send this photograph into the awards."

Not present at the reception were Armwood High School students Perry Olsen and Jake Rothmann.

Olsen received third place for “Leaving Things Untouched,” an entry in the 2-Dimensional category. “Do not hurry past this multimedia piece,” reads the judges’ statement. It notes the piece’s “thoughtful approach,” “sense of humor” and “loose watercolor."

Rothmann’s “Stars” received third place in the 3-Dimensional category. “These points of contact composed using only the star shape and black and white are exciting and fragile,” reads the judges’ statement. “It makes the viewer stop and consider rhythm, balance and the meaning of symbols."

As for McGarrity — who didn’t receive an award in the Hillsborough show but currently has a piece, a self-portrait, hanging in the Polk Museum Congressional Show —  her assessment of art came in a discussion of her most favorite part in the artistic endeavor.

“The ending,” she said. “That is my favorite part in every project, when I can sign my name at the bottom of the canvas.”

The Brandon Service League High School Student Art Show is on display in the Mook Gallery at the . The center shares space with the Brandon Regional Library in the Sandy Rodriguez Center, at 619 Vonderburg Drive in Brandon.

The exhibit runs through March 28. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment.