PRESS: May 27, 2009

West students win top awards at Art on the Square competition
More than 300 students enter pieces for three art competitions

By Larry Ingram, Suburban Journals
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 3:14 AM CDT

Larry Ingram / Journal Belleville West High School art teacher Cari Casper (left), and Dan Krause (right), pose with senior Taylor Bevirt, junior Chelsey Sprengeler, and senior Victoria Hensley, who were among students at the school winning 12 of 34 prizes among three different competitions for students at Art on the Square, held in Downtown Belleville May 15-17.

Taylor Bevirt, a graduating senior at Belleville West High School, said he was stunned to learn that his piece, "Where is My Mind," won Best of Show at the Art on the Square high school competition in Downtown Belleville.

Bevirt was one of three students at the school to win top awards in the competition, held May 15-17.

Art on the Square judges chose 26 pieces from more than 300 that were entered in the contest.

A total of 139 entries were received for another competition, the 12th Congressional District Art Competition, sponsored by U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello.

Bevirt said he was surprised because there were "so many great pieces this year."

"I never won anything before for my art," he said.

Bevirt said he is planning to take art classes at Southwestern Illinois College in the fall.

His art teacher, Rob Thornberry said he was "ecstatic" that Bevirt won the top award.

"I think he totally deserved it," Thornberry said. "He's a hard worker and very talented."

Thornberry said winning the award will probably motivate Bevirt to create more art.

While Bevirt took the top award, Chelsey Sprengeler, a junior, took three awards at the competition for her piece, "Check Your Mate."

SUBMITTED PHOTO Belleville West High School art teacher Cari Casper (left); junior Chelsey Sprengeler, Art on the Square volunteer Rhonda Ross, and St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern, pose for a photograph after Sprengeler was awarded first place among St. Clair County high school competitors at Art on the Square May 17.

She won the Art on the Square Artists' Choice award, first place from the St. Clair County competition, and the grand prize in the 12th Congressional District Art Competition.

For winning the congressional competition, her art work will be exhibited for a year among other congressional winners throughout the country in the Cannon Office Building Tunnel, leading to the U.S. Capitol, and a $300 prize.

She is also eligible for a $5,000 renewable scholarship to Savannah College of Art and Design, in Savannah and Atlanta, Ga.

"This is the biggest thing I've ever won," Sprengeler said.

She said it was nice to receive official praise for her work, which she spent several months working on.

Sprengeler said the piece required a lot of work because of the detail involved.

She drew her work with colored pencil from a photograph she took of a glass chess set with colored lights.

Her art teacher, Cari Casper, helped her "with some of the obstacles," Sprengeler said.

"I'm planning to pursue an art in college and as a career," she said.

Another art teacher at the school, Dan Krause, said Sprengeler has worked hard on her art during the past three years at the high school, and is an active member of the school Art Club.

"(Sprengeler) entered last year and didn't win anything," Krause said. "She is a very serious student. She's very devoted to it."

SUBMITTED PHOTO Belleville West art teacher Rob Thornberry (left); senior Taylor Bevirt; Art on the Square volunteer Rhonda Ross; and Cindy Evans, Art on the Square high school competition chairwoman, pose for a photograph after winning Best of Show in the high school competition during Art on the Square.

But she may be too devoted; Casper said Sprengeler was still working on her piece the day it had to be turned in.

"If we didn't pull it out of her hands and make her put it into the frame, she probably would have worked on it for another 10 hours," Casper said. "That's just the way she is. She's a perfectionist."

But, Casper said, Sprengeler may have learned that trait from her.

"I'm that way too," Casper said.

Victoria Hensley, a graduating senior, said she was also surprised at receiving her third-place award in the 12th Congressional District Art Competition.

"I entered last year, but didn't win anything," she said.

She said Casper helped her with her piece, a self-portrait created with colored pencils.

"She kept telling me to keep working on it," Hensley said.

The yearly competition at Art on the Square is something the faculty and students look forward to every year.

"It's like our state competition for our art students because we're in competition with 42 other schools," Casper said. "It's really a big deal."

Casper said entering the competition is not a requirement for the art students.

"But we help them get prepared for it with framing and matting," she said.

Art on the Square High School Competition Awards

Best of Show
Taylor Bevirt, Where is My Mind?

Artists' Choice, Grand Prize, 12th Congressional District Art Competition, First Place, St. Clair County Competition
Chelsey Sprengeler, Check Your Mate

Third Place, 12th Congressional District Art Competition
Victoria Hensley, Victorious