The Galena High School Art Department is excited to announce our first Outstanding Pirate Artist of the Month for 2025! This is going to be a great year. Warm up with some of this amazing artwork.
January Nominees: Emma Duncan, Macklan Murphy, Vanesa Vazquez Castellanos
Criteria: advanced creativity, high level of interest in art, commitment to skill advancement, and outside-the-box thinking (creativity & problem solving).
Emma Duncan, Vanesa Vazquez Castellanos, and Macklan Murphy
Thank you to The Galena Bakehouse and Galena Roasters for this month’s gift cards.
Outstanding Artist of December – Vanesa Vazquez Castellanos ’27 – Intro to Art
Ms. Thraen-Borowski -I am so glad Vanesa took Intro to Art this year because she clearly belongs in an art class! From day one, she has made strong work. Her projects are technically advanced, always well thought out, and incredibly creative. In class, Vanesa keeps her head down and throws herself into her artwork. Her approach is that of someone who knows how to work hard and stay humble. She simply lets her artwork speak for itself. You can tell she is making it for herself and has set a high bar. Because of these attributes, Vanesa is the kind of art student teachers love to have in class. Her maturity, talent, and positive attitude will take her far in life and I always look forward to having her in art.
Vanesa’s thoughts on all things art:
Why do you think art is important?
I think art is important because it is a way people can see the world through a different way. We see art every day, logos, street signs, buildings, etc… It is a creative way to express feelings.
What does art mean to you?
Art means a lot to me. I have always loved to paint and draw ever since I was a little girl. It was a way for me to be in my own world and do what I love. It helped me a lot, especially during hard times. Art showed me that there is always a way out, and sometimes you need to draw or paint it in order to move on or accept things.
Why do you make art?
I make art because it makes me feel calm. I have the creative freedom to make what I want without needing someone’s approval because it is my art.
What type of art do you like to make?
I love to draw and paint anything. The things I do most are probably scenes and landscapes.
How do you plan to incorporate art into your life after high school?
Even though I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, I have some options that interest me. During college, I want to keep my art abilities by drawing or making art during my free time. If I become an interior designer or architect, art will always be in my life. I’ll be making plans, choosing colors, or even making my own art decor.
What is something you wish the outside world knew about high school art classes?
You always have creative freedom! It is a way to have fun and discover a new interest. There are so many new things I tried out this year that I have loved, like watercolor and oil pastels.
Also Nominated – Emma Duncan ’26 – Drawing & Painting/3D Art
Ms. Thraen-Borowski – Emma Duncan drips talent. Her fine motor ability is off the charts. She has a super strong grasp of composition and I always know that her projects will be well done. It appears that art comes easy to her, but I know that is not the case and she has had to put the time in. Whenever we start a new project in class, Emma goes into it with complex ideas that highlight her work ethic and willingness to face a challenge. This tends to pay off and her pieces are the evidence. I am confident Emma will always make art because you can see how much joy it brings her. I am very excited to see what else she creates this year!
Also Nominated – Macklan Murphy ’27 – Digital Art 1
Ms. Thraen-Borowski – Macklan will make an excellent graphic designer and I’m thrilled this is his current life plan. He has such a strong eye for design and detail. The level of critical thinking he possesses and discussions we’ve been able to have in class are well beyond 10th grade level. In addition to his advanced thought process and artistry, Macklan is very self aware and aware of the world around us. This all translates to unique, creative, elevated ideas for his artwork. He is intrinsically motivated, works hard on projects, and never shies away from the challenge of learning a new program or skill. Macklan has a bright future and I look forward to all the conversations we’ve yet to have. He still has a lot to teach me.
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].
