Northwest Area Education Agency (AEA) sponsors a fine arts competition featuring writing and visual art. After a lengthy judging period a printed, bound book of selected works is produced. There were 57 schools across northwest Iowa with entries for the 2021 “Harvest” publication.
The contest was opened again in 2022. The crown jewel of this competition is to be awarded the front cover of “Harvest.” Roxi Morton, a South O’Brien 2nd grade student earned that recognition with her piece, “Sam.”
Teachers from northwest Iowa schools are welcome to enter as many pieces as they wish for entry into “Harvest” publication. Mrs. Mews entered 55 pieces of artwork this year. Out of those 55, South O’Brien received 47 selections for publication into the 2022-23 “Harvest” publication.
According to Judy Sweetman of NW AEA, there were approximately 300 pieces of art submitted. There were about a dozen pieces selected for consideration of the cover. Roxi’s piece was unanimously selected for the cover.
According to Jillian Mews, South O’Brien Elementary Art teacher, “This art piece was inspired by our study of Pop Artist Romero Britto. Britto’s style features a combination of Cubism, Graffiti, and Pop Art infused images and colors.” Roxi used neon oil pastels and neon Tempera paints under Mrs. Mews’ direction to create the cat body and lines of division. Patterns of shapes, lines and colors were added to fill and create the background.
All students participated in the Britto-styled neon project to enter the first ever “Glow Gallery” featured at the South O’Brien Elementary Fine Arts Festival held March 10. Roxi’s piece also received the first “Best Glow” award at the local show.