Student expressions: The sky, a porthole and ducks

These budding artists talking shyly of their projects at the Carson City Library could one day speak extensively on their artwork as experts.

Any one of the six artists could be winners in the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Fine Arts Exhibit program.

"These were the kids who really participated consistently in the fine arts program throughout the year," said Erin Dobyns, art and education director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada. "And their work was great."

Six pieces from the club will be entered into the regional competition in Santa Monica, Calif., in February. Until then, the artwork is displayed at the library in a glass case through early February. The pieces include two watercolors, an acrylic, two collages and a pastel.

Victoria Norton, a 10-year-old student from Bordewich-Bray Elementary School, has studied a variety of art techniques throughout the year in Dobyns' fine arts program. Victoria's piece, "Northern Lights," is an acrylic.

"I like acrylics the most because they're fun and you can always paint over them if you need to," she said.

Her night sky features Saturn, Mars, the moon and many stars. The moon is reflected in a blue river that flows across the landscape.

"I like to go to the park, but I didn't do the park because I didn't want to do slides and stuff," she said. "This is at night and it's like my imaginary park."

Melissa Puentes' "Porthole of ..." uses many of the blue and green colors that Norton featured. Her work shows a view from a porthole and is framed in green.

"I like the mystery of my project," the 13-year-old Eagle Valley Middle School student said. "When you think of 'Porthole Of...,' it could be a hole to a bunch of different things."

Brooke Lee's collage, "Every Duck is Different," came from her love of ducks. The 10 ducks in her collage have different size legs and heads, as well as a variety of eye colors.

"My favorite animal is the duck," the 9-year-old Mark Twain Elementary School student said. "They're on my sweatshirt, too. I like ducks. This shows how, if (these) were people, how everyone is different."

The regional winners in Santa Monica will be entered into the national contest in Atlanta. Dobyns said she hopes to have more entries for next year's contest.

"We intend to keep (the art program) up and growing," she said. "We want to expand our contributions for the following year."

Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.