The Galena High School Art Department is excited to announce our Outstanding Pirate Artist of the Month for November! The competition was especially fierce this month and all nominees should be very proud. Join us in celebrating them and their skills!
November nominees: Lily Bussan, Tessa Gempler, Casey Mann
Criteria: advanced creativity, high level of interest in art, commitment to skill advancement, and outside the box thinking (creativity & problem solving).
Casey Mann, Lily Bussan, Tessa Gempler
Thank you to The Galena Bakehouse and Galena Roasters for this month’s gift cards.
Outstanding Artist of November – Casey Mann ’28
Intro to Art
Ms. Thraen-Borowski – It needs to be highlighted that Casey is only a freshman. Her skill level is off the charts for any age and here she is creating work of this quality at age 15. Being her art teacher feels like winning the lottery. Casey is an incredibly thoughtful artist, taking the time to plan her pieces out and really think through her ideas. By the end of her first project, I could already tell she had very high standards for herself and her artwork wouldn’t be turned in until it was exceptionally done. Her skills are obvious, but in addition to that, her quiet process and humble work ethic are a testament to her maturity. I can’t wait to have Casey in the art room for the next 4 years!
Casey’s thoughts on all things art:
Why do you think art is important?
I think art is important because people with all different skill levels can make it and it is a good way to express yourself when you can’t always use words.
What does art mean to you?
Art, to me, means being able to use your creative side and put your thoughts and ideas down on paper (or any other art material).
Why do you make art?
I make art because I like to visualize something and see how I make it come to life. I also create art because I like to see how much I’ve improved from previous years.
What type of art do you like to make?
The art I make is usually acrylic paint on a canvas. I try to make my art realistic and it is most commonly an animal or landscape with all different colors and shades.
How do you plan to incorporate art into your life after high school?
I plan on traveling a lot after college, and I want to paint pictures of all the places I see.
What is something you wish the outside world knew about high school art classes?
I wish people knew how much you learn from high school art classes. High school art classes teach you the aspect of art, they teach you responsibility, and they teach you that mistakes are bound to happen and how you deal with them matters.
Also Nominated – Lily Bussan ’27 – Intro to Art
Ms. Thraen-Borowski – It is obvious that Lily loves art. Every single class period she is locked into her artwork. She’s so productive in class that she often will take on additional projects. Lily simply loves the process and churns out well done piece after well done piece. Her courage to jump right into trying new techniques has also translated to her mastering media very quickly. She just goes for it and works on it until every piece she makes is strong. Lily always has a great attitude and I’m so glad she is in Intro to Art this year. I can’t wait to see what else she creates!
Also Nominated – Tessa Gempler ’27
Ms. Thraen-Borowski – Tessa’s artwork is at a whole other level this year. She is seriously one of the strongest art students we have at GHS. It’s awesome to witness. She is so diligent in her approach and process. In fact, once I’ve explained a project and we all get started, now I just stay out of her way. Tessa has the motor memory and foundation to quickly master whatever we’re working on. Every piece is of the highest quality and she makes it look easy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Tessa make a fuss about anything, but in her own quiet way, you can tell she loves art. She is at peace when working on her projects. It is going to be so fun to see what else she produces this school year!
Congratulations to all the artists!
For any additional info and to find out ways to support this recognition, contact Ms. Irene Thraen-Borowski at [email protected].
