Southeast Valley Students compete at Twin Lakes Conference Art Show
After two postponements, the artists from Southeast Valley were finally able to attend the 2025 Twin Lakes Conference Art Show last Tuesday March 25th. The Southeast Valley students did well for themselves at the contest. Senior Karah Hayes, took home two ribbons for her artwork which struck a chord with the judge who grew up on a farm. Not hard to see why the judge was drawn to her works but the skill demonstrated was a huge draw also for the Judge as well. Karah’s piece titled “Cow Nose” won first place in the drawing chromatic category which was a tough division with tons of great artworks but Karah’s work outshined all the other entries to take the top prize. Karah was also recognized for her other entry “Two Doelings” which was awarded as an honorable mention which means it was one of the top works in the show.
Junior Aubrey Sandstrom had a strong day finishing the day with three total ribbons for her two entered pieces. Aubrey received the fifth most votes in the coveted student’s choice voting for her amazing landscape painting titled “Summers Best View.” It would also impress the judge enough to be recognized as an honorable mention alongside Karah. The landscape was one of her two entries. The other piece titled “Oh Silent Night” was awarded a first place ribbon in the toughest category Painting Acrylic. Her handling of the lighting was a big drawn for the judge who had high remarks for Aubrey’s artwork. Aubrey not only impressed the judge with both artworks but also impressed her peers which is a good indication that her art is just simply impressive.
The last ribbon for Southeast Valley went to Aliyah Weideman who worked really hard on her piece titled “The Gentle Giant” The artwork was a sculpture of the baby elephant head which Aliyah made out of plaster and cardboard. The project took a long time to complete and all the hard work paid off as she was awarded a ribbon in the Sculpture/3D Mixed Media category. The judge obviously appreciated the hard work and the details Aliyah was able to include in her sculpture.
Three artists received ribbons at the art show but with more entries than any show ever the competition was tough. Other Southeast Valley artists who attended the event held on the Iowa Central Campus were Seniors Paiton Richman and Amy Lorraine making it into the show, their last opportunity to compete. There was a huge group of juniors making it into the show this year. The artistic ability is definitely strong with this group. Dax Maschino, Elizabeth Thompson, Madelyn Farley, Jadah Freeman-Limas, Taylor Willardson, Devynn Wilson and Blessing Cunigan will look to ribbon at next year’s art show after just missing one this year with really strong artwork. Congrats to the ribbon winners and the participants that went on to compete in this year’s art show.
Sandstrom - Oh Silent Night pic