Art Prize Contest for Students

Nearly 90 art entries created by students in first-grade through eighth-grade entered pieces into the Cross Creek ArtPrize contest at Cross Creek Charter Academy.
 
“The students were very excited about it,” said Nicole Wierenga, art teacher at Cross Creek, who began the competition last year. “This year I think they stepped up their projects.”
 
The event began with a reception for parents and grandparents who were able to vote for their favorite projects.

Each student was able to vote for their favorite entry.
 
The top five art entries were then voted on to find a winner. Each student who entered the contest received a t-shirt they wore to school.  The winner received a $50 giftcard to Michaels.
 
“My goal is to get more students interested in art and the actual ArtPrize event,” said Wierenga. 

The number of entries submitted this year was 20 more than last year and crossed more grade-levels, Wierenga said.
 
Last year entries included fashion, sculptures, landscape paintings and drawing.
 
The students were able to create any type of entry.
 
“I want them to use their imagination,” she said. “So many times they are told what to do. I want them to get creative.”
 
Students began working on their entries in the summer. They were required to sign up for the contest in the spring, work on the projects in the summer, and submit them this fall. The program is modeled after the Grand Rapids ArtPrize competition that gives away thousands of dollars to artists who receive the most public votes.
 
Students had to submit artist statements to Wierenga who displayed the entries on bulletin boards around the school.

Great job, Cross Creek!

About Cross Creek Charter Academy
Cross Creek Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Byron Center, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.

Visit Cross Creek Charter Academy's blog to read more stories like this.