HAMLET – Cole Auditorium was the site of an exquisite display of the creative artwork of Richmond County’s multi-talented art students on Tuesday, December 12.
Under the tutelage of art instructor Andrea McIver, numerous students from schools across the county submitted evidence of their skills for the viewing enjoyment of a throng of attendees.
McIver, who has been employed with Richmond County Schools since 2010, is the primary art instructor at several of the county’s schools.
She was highly instrumental in establishing the sophisticated “Advanced Placement” (AP) art curriculum currently in operation.
“We have nine students in the AP program, and each of them submits 24 pieces over the course of a year,” McIver noted.
These pieces are then judged locally, with the more advanced works being forwarded to a national art body for further evaluation.
“AP students can receive college (equivalent) course credits for their work if their national scores are high enough,” McIver added.
A cursory “walk-through review” of the creations on display this night at Cole Auditorium would offer convincing evidence that “national-level talent” is abundant is Richmond County.
A mesmerizing array of works in water colors, charcoal, graphite, sculptures, etchings, 3D models and more offered insight as to just how much work these youngsters have done, and how well they have done it.
One such aspiring artist is Latasha Alexandria Baker of Hamlet. The daughter of Mary Baker, Baker was one of a chosen few who had their own display table situated in the midst of the show.
A 17-year-old senior at Richmond Senior High School, Baker is president of the RSHS Art Club and plans to continue her studies at “a college with an excellent art program,” although she has yet to determine which school that may be.
Another multi-talented prodigy is Caleb Dickens, also a 17-year-old senior, and also of Hamlet. The son of Mitch and Jill Dickens, Caleb aspires to continue his education and training through the doctoral level, but does not necessarily see himself limited to the visual arts.
“I hope to be a professor of the arts, which includes music as well as artwork,” said Dickens.
Indeed, Dickens’ talents as a classical pianist may well outshine his substantial skill in regard to three-dimensional creations (he also had a wire mesh dragonfly creation on display along with a fully-functioning elephant head water fountain).
“I have a classical piano audition performance for the North Carolina School of the Arts scheduled for January 26,” he added.
And should he eventually tire of drawing, painting, sculpting, animating, or rendering classical music on the piano, Dickens may find a career in fashion design – his “masking tape dress” creation was the talk of many at the show, and it wasn’t even on display; evidently his reputation preceded him at this particular Cole Auditorium showing.
Caroline Freeman, the 10th grade daughter of Creed and Nan Freeman of Rockingham, was another relatively prolific creator with works on display; her many etchings of sailboats were “floating around” the show for all to see, as was some of her pottery work.
Freeman hopes to further her education with some combination of art and math.
For those unable to tour the display of the wonderful works of these aspiring artists this holiday season, fear not – McIver noted the upcoming Arts Alive event, also at Cole Auditorium, scheduled for the weekend of March 3 – 5, 2018.
