Herriman High School senior Isabella Freeman was thrilled when she found out her mixed media art piece “I Believed in God in 2008” had not only been accepted into the 53rd Annual Utah All-State High School Art Show, but that it won an award and was being used on advertisements for the show.

“It means so incredibly much to me, especially as a girl who has been creating her whole life,” she said. “I haven’t ever received recognition like this before and it’s been so validating and really proves to me that I can succeed as
an artist.” 

Her piece, created with acrylic paint and cut paper, took 40 hours to complete.

“I’m incredibly happy with how it turned out,” she said. “This piece is meant to symbolize the childlike awe and praise we hold for our parents despite challenges.” 

Braden Wilcox, a senior at Mountain Ridge High School, had a piece of art accepted in last year’s show. He was so excited, he immediately began working on this year’s piece and was thrilled when it won an honorable mention. His winning piece, “Paper Patriot,” is a 3D sculpture of an eagle made from cardboard and paper and took him about two months to complete. 

“Since going to the ceremony and realizing what all this entails, I realized just how big an honorable mention actually is,” he said. “It didn’t quite hit until I was actually at the ceremony, and there was tons of officials there—Burgess Owens and all the state representatives—and I’m going to the Capitol soon. It was a much bigger deal than I thought it would be even at the start. I’m just grateful that I was able to get this. I’ve never really gotten recognition this large before. This is definitely one of the biggest art opportunities I’ve ever had.”

Only 6% of the 1,300 entries into the show won a prize.

Mountain Ridge High School junior Cambryn Vance’s “Reminiscing a Joyful Splash” also won an honorable mention award in the prestigious art show. It was not only one of her first attempts at oil painting, but also the first art piece she’s ever entered into a show or contest.

The piece is a self portrait capturing a moment of childhood joy.

“When I saw the picture, I was like, ‘I just need to paint this’ because I felt like that’s the joy of being a kid,” she said. “I hope that when other people see my painting, that they also feel the same way and think about their own memories from when they were younger.”

The 53rd Annual Utah All-State High School Art Show, on display at the Springville Museum of Art through Mar. 21, features artwork by local high school artists, including:

Bingham High School: Isaac Mitchell, Tess Petersen, Alyssa Barrett and Erin Grimshaw (two pieces)

Erin Grimshaw won the Outstanding Student of the Year Award. Her piece “Young Siren” won a Jurors’ Choice Award, a Fourth Congressional District Award, the Artists Nosh Award and a Lyon Arts Studio Award.Her piece “Labeled” won a Jurors’ Award of Merit.

Herriman High School: Abaigael Langston, Amanda Morales, Elijah Baker, Isabella Freeman, Nhi Trang, Saylor Sanders, Sofia Kim, Stella Smuin and Susanna Bruening 

Isabella Freeman’s piece “I Believed in God in 2008” won the Pilar Pobil Legacy Award.

Mountain Ridge High School: Braden Wilcox, Cambryn Vance, Elizabeth Barton, Kate Butterfield and Mckenzie Goodwin

Both Cambryn Vance’s “Reminiscing a Joyful Splash” and Braden Wilcox’s “Paper Patriot” won an Honorable Mention.

Providence Hall High School: Morgan Vaas

Riverton High School: Cash Swenson, Ella Nordfelt, Kaitlin Killian, Kaya Monson, Spencer Cameron, Lillian Dickes, Lydia Cannon, Miranda Johnson, Rachel Jessen and Olive Grgich Morse

Kaya Monson’s “Abuelo” won a Jurors’ Choice Award. λ