Some Tibetan monks spend hours creating works of sand art, only to destroy them moments after they’re finished to remind us that everything in the universe is constantly changing. Artists at Southeast Campus recently spent the day creating chalk art to remind us that it’s still fun to draw on the sidewalk.
Although none of their creations in the Fifth Annual Chalk It Up art competition were intentionally destroyed, a short rain shower turned them all into watercolors a few days later. But they still accomplished their intended results, which, according to art instructor Kristina Elizondo, were to show off the arts on campus, to encourage both artists and non-artists to express themselves, and to provide a nature-themed backdrop for the Arbor Day Festival the following day.
“I would say it’s a perfect example of educational fun,” she said. “The weather’s nice; it’s a chance to be outside; it’s not too serious. But then, we do have some really good cash prizes.”
Those cash prizes included more than $1,000 in TCC scholarships and TCC Bookstore gift cards. More than 100 students contributed 35 entries for a shot at a prize. Some worked individually; others entered as groups, like the TCC Socio-Psych Club, sponsored by Jose Velarde, instructor of psychology. They took 3rd place with their rendition of a “brain tree.” Socio-Psych Club member Laila Khan said the $125 scholarship prize would be donated to the club’s treasury.
TCC Student Dominique Spencer said he entered for the fun of it, but he wouldn’t mind picking up a prize, either. “I love to draw. I love just to have fun,” he said. “And also just the scholarship money, you know. Just trying to pay for summer school.”
Some contestants have been drawing for years; others were trying it for the first time. TCC Student JacQuetta Clayton said that she decided to enter because of what she had learned in an art-appreciation class. “We just talked about nature in my art class and the different creations that artists had built in the large space of nature,” she said. “When you learn about it, you learn to appreciate it.”
Although there were no losers in this competition, some entries were “appreciated” more than others, at least by the judges. Dean of Liberal Arts Jerry Coats and Matt Churches, City Forester for City of Arlington Parks and Recreation, served as judges for the grand prizes. And a class of Southeast Campus art students also voted on their favorites for a student award category.
Here’s a list of the “most-appreciated” artists.
Grand Prizes:
1st place: Maria Lohman ($200 TCC Scholarship)
2nd place: Kody Brewer ($175 TCC Scholarship)
3rd place: TCC Socio-Psych Club ($125 TCC Scholarship)
Student Awards (voted on by TCC Students):
Carmen Londono and Nadley Doerge ($100 Bookstore gift card)
Dylan Sherburne ($100 Bookstore gift card)
Honorable Mentions:
Tara Prabhu ($100 Bookstore gift card)
Megan Yale ($100 Bookstore gift card)
Salvador Rios, Candelario Mora, Duane Drummonds, Cyruss Powell, Jr. ($100 Bookstore gift card)
Art History Award Honorable Mention:
Rebekah Godbold, Crystal Reyes ($50 Bookstore gift card)
See more Chalk About It pictures below.
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