TEN SLEEP – Four Ten Sleep High School art students; Lee Whitlock, Holden Truman, Katon Fox and Lindsey Holiday shined this year at the WHSAA (Wyoming High School Activities Association) High School Art Symposium held at the Casper Events Center April 19-21. The State Art Symposium is an art competition where all the schools in the state compete against each other.

Ten Sleep School art teacher Dustin Stephenson stated that 57 student art pieces were entered this year bringing home 25 blue ribbons. “I’m proud of all my students’ progressions this year!  Awards are just a ‘bonus’,” Stephenson said. “Hard work pays off,” he added.

Some of the art work in the competition will be placed on exhibit in the Wyoming Capitol in Cheyenne and also in the governor’s mansion. “Of the about 4,500 entries, 25 two-dimensional entries and 15 – 25 three-dimensional entries will be selected to be displayed in the state capitol. There is also the First Lady award where the governor’s wife will choose pieces to be displayed in the governor’s mansion,” Stephenson said in an earlier interview.

This year Wyoming first lady Carol Mead chose 50 pieces to grace the governor’s mansion, four of which were created by Whitlock.

Twenty-five out of 2,500 3D pieces were chosen to grace the halls of the state capitol in Cheyenne. Those chosen received 3D Artistic Discovery or congressional awards. Whitlock received the honor for two of his pieces and Truman also received the honor for one of his pieces.

Of the 4,500 entries about 1,000 will receive ribbons. “It’s not about winning ribbons; it’s about expressing yourself through your talent. Winning the ribbons is just a bonus,” Stephenson stated.

In total Whitlock received 14 blue ribbons, two 3D artistic discovery awards and four first lady awards. Truman received a 3D artistic award, Fox earned nine blue ribbons and Holiday received one.