C o v e r s t o ry
YOUNG CREATIVES SHINE Students excel at Arizona State Fair Art Competition. I
n the halls of Creighton School District, two young artists, Tigireda Kibrom and Arlyn Aguilar Hernandez, are redefining what it means to be an artist. With their remarkable achievements at the Arizona State Fair Art Competition, where Tigireda won first place and Arlyn fourth, these Excelencia School middle school learners are proving that age is just a number in the world of creativity. Art, in its myriad forms, serves as a conduit for expression, beauty, and sometimes, the startlingly unexpected. Craft artists, like Tigireda and Arlyn, navigate through a kaleidoscope of materials — ceramics, glass, textiles, wood, metal, and paper — to bring their visions to life. Their awardwinning pieces, now proudly displayed as a permanent exhibit at Excelencia School, are a testament to their skill and vision. The journey of these creations involved a blend of techniques: drawing, colored pencils for nuanced shading, and a vibrant mix of watercolor, paint marker, and tempera paint. But beyond the technical prowess lies the heart of their artistry — a boundless imagination and a deep-seated passion. “I like that creating art allows my imagination to go wild. I can create or draw whatever I want or whatever feels good. I could draw a lion, a stick figure, a circle, it's up to me and the sky's the limit,” shares Arlyn, an eighth grader, her eyes sparkling with the excitement of creation. Seventh grader Tigireda echoes a similar sentiment,
14 | DECEMBER 2023 | EPIC KIDS
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