Cover photo by Kenidee Morgan
DO YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR ART, WRITING, MUSIC OR ANY OTHER CREATIVE HOBBY? SUBMIT TO THE AVATAR FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THE SPOTLIGHT FEATURE AND A FIVE DOLLAR STARBUCKS GIFT CARD!
Editor's Choice Spotlight
This month's winner is...
Cara DeBrosse
Letter from Editor
I chose this piece for its simplicity and casual nature. To me, great art does not have to be a showy, large composition. It does not have to be on a canvas, nor one subject really. Some of the greatest works and ideas come from sketchbooks, such as those of Leonardo Da Vinci, who designed many inventions and practiced anatomy in his famous sketchbooks which sold for millions. This excerpt from a sketchbook shows a great talent and dedication to learning more about art.
Articles
Avatar's fist ever Poetry Jam
Ever been to a poetry jam? Bring your own poem (either one you wrote or one you like, does not have to be your own) and read it dramatically to the masses as bongos beat to your tune. Or, just come and listen!
Snacks and Drinks will be provided! If you would like to read a poem, e-mail what you chose to avatar@apps.limashawnee.com for approval to be read by the end of the school day on February 10th. The audience's favorite performance will win a prize!
When: Friday, FEbruary 11th, after school
Where: Room 160
Your friends at Avatar can't wait to jam with you!
ArtSpace/Lima Annual Juried Photography Exhibition
Seven SHS students were selected to display their works at ArtSpace/Lima through February 8th as part of the 2021 Juried Photography Exhibit. Congratulations Shawnee Photographers!
Juried Participants
Karrington Green
Chelsea Manuel
Lena Parsley
Josie Williams
Mason Reed
Best of Category awards
Emma Schumann
Jazmyn Scott (pictured right)
2021 Scholastics Art & Writing Awards
Thomas Cover - Honorable Mention
Cara DeBrosse - Silver Key (submission pictured left)
Barkley Fisher - Gold Key
Chelsea Manuel - Honorable Mention
Tessa Mulcahy - Silver Key
Lena Parsley - Honorable Mention
Mason Reed - Honorable Mention
Maggie Stoddard - 2 Gold Keys, Silver Key and Honorable Mention
Blast from the Past
The first publication of Avatar was in 1975. This section pays tribute to the past editions.
Poem selection by Dex Hooker, I chose this poem because it relates to my love for the important people in my life whom I appreciate very much. Submitted anonymously in the 2009 edition
A Love Like No Other
I never felt a love
like this before
It's a love like no other
Something I have always hoped for
A love with friendship
Humor and heart
A bond so strong
It would never part
A love that makes you smile
From ear to ear
A love that is joyful
Without any fear
A love that is beautiful
From the inside out
A love with no tears
Pain, or doubt
A love with soul
So tender and true
A love that I found
Only in you...
Art selection by Mack Onan. I chose this art piece because of the contrast of color between each clock and the design of the clocks twisting into the endless void of history. by Brooke Warren in the 2009 edition
How To Use Art To Stay Focused On Your New Year's Resolution
By: Alex Karapondo
Keeping Focused
As the new year rolls around, it is traditional that many Americans make a New Year's resolution. A New Year's resolution is a goal or objective that you strive to reach by the end of each year. Typically, they start after the ball drops on new years eve, and go on until late december. But, the predicament is just this: It's hard to stay motivated to keep your resolution. One way you can keep your resolution and stay focused is using art to channel your energy. There are many unique and creative ways to do this, some of which are listed below.
Make A Vision Board
One way to keep focused is to make a vision board, using colors and images to represent your goals. This way, each day your eyes will be drawn to the spectacle of bright colors and shapes, making you more motivated to stay on course. And to keep yourself more involved, as time progresses you can add progress pictures and update your board to keep it relevant.
Make Portraits
Another way to use art to motivate yourself for your resolutions is to draw two self portraits. The first one can be drawn at the beginning of the year, with your current situation and goals attached to it, and as the year goes on, draw another one to see how much you have changed, and to track your progress.
Make A Bullet Journal
Additionally, you could make a bullet journal. Either weekly, monthly, or even daily if your heart so pleases. You can draw pictures, use tons of different media, and add whatever you want to help keep you on task.
Important Foreword
Keeping new year's resolutions can be very difficult to maintain, and hopefully with a little bit of color in your life, it'll make it just that much easier to accomplish. There are a plethora of projects you could make to help you keep your new year's resolutions. And even if you don't have one, it;s still a fun way to express yourself. Making art projects related to the new year can be a family fun filled activity, or an individual goal. Whatever you decide to do, just know that as long as you let your creativity flow, there is no wrong way to go about your resolutions.
ARTWORKS
Photos
WRITINGS
The Mind And The Page
By Carson Stewart
Why is it so,
That when paper meets lead,
I have not the words to convey,
All the things inside my head?
If only thoughts were just words,
Were it as it once was!
Is there a reason behind my failure?
I wish I knew the cause.
3AM Memories
By Carson Stewart
The clock reads three
And the sky is is black
In the quiet of night
My mind takes me back
I’m back there again
The same room I sit in now
But my mind was not the same then
On that night I made my vow
The promise to be better
That oath I tried to keep
These thoughts bring back the pain
And I begin to weep
I make the vow again
Maybe I’ll finally grow
Is it possible to be better?
For now, I don’t know.
Resolutions
By: Mack Onan
I’ll work harder
I’ll workout more
I’ll eat less
I’ll be nicer
I’ll be lying to myself
On the first of the year
Saying that it’s a resolution
When really it’s for you
Promises broken in an hour
Glass thrown around the room
Words bouncing off the walls
Yelling, shouting
Crying, hiding
You said you wouldn’t do this
Yet here we are
Well
There’s always next year
A New Light
By Mack Onan
A scream in the middle of the night
Two eyes, wide and bright
New life, blooming flowers
Stars shine, burning bright
A new hope, a new light
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2021/22 AVATAR STAFF
Natalie Burgess - Editor, Avatar President
Mr. Krawetzke - Avatar Advisor
Tessa Mulcahy, Jazmin Scott, Alex Karapondo, Kenidee Morgan, Carson Stewart, Caitlyn Smitheram, Mack Onan, Cara DeBrosse, Keegan Wilson, Chloe Cleaves, Lauren Neilson, Kaden Kohlrieser
THIS YEAR AVATAR HAS PUBLISHED 23 WRITTEN WORKS, 60 ARTWORKS, AND 5 MUSICAL PIECES. BE THE NEXT TO HAVE YOUR CREATIVE WORKS PUBLISHED.
EMAIL YOUR CREATIVE WRITINGS, POETRY, ARTWORK, VIDEOS, SONGS, ETC. TO AVATAR@APPS.LIMASHAWNEE.COM FOR CONSIDERATION IN NEXT MONTH'S PUBLICATION AND A CHANCE TO WIN!