Gordon Elementary School artists draw up awards

KINGSTON — From fifth grader Kai Delphinida’s papier-maché puppet of Greek conqueror Alexander the Great to second grader Nathan Lange’s foil-bas relief of a frog, students in Gordon Elementary’s after school art club have been busy gaining new skills while making all kinds of creations this year.

One thing they didn’t expect to get, though, was recognition in their young art careers.

Ten students went from beginners to winners in less than a year’s time in the club, picking up numerous awards at the Puyallup Spring Fair’s “Creative Kids Exhibit,” held April 14-17. Students competed in their individual grade levels with others from around Western Washington.

They were entered into the competition by their teacher, Charlotte Caron, who felt the quality of their work could not be overlooked. Caron said a valuable life lesson could also be learned through their accolades.

“They worked extremely hard on these projects and because they were recognized, it shows them that their imagination counts and gives them a sense of accomplishment,” she said.

Among the winners were:

• Fifth grader Cameron Reeves, won second place for a papier-maché depiction of “Robin,” a cartoon character on one of his favorite shows.

“I was confused when I started, but it came out perfect,” he said of his puppet, which was complete with mask, cape, gloves and even spiky hair.

• Third grader Justine Sultan won first place on two projects — one of a flower, similar to the technique of famous American artist Georgia O’Keeffe, and one a foil-bas relief of a cow.

“At first, I thought the flower would be really easy,” Sultan said. “But it’s actually really hard because everything has to be perfect.”

• Fifth grader Delphinida won a first place for his papier-maché puppet of the aforementioned Alexander.

“Making the armor was the hardest,” he admitted, later adding he learned “how to make a lot of stuff out of duct tape.”

• Sixth grader Makenna Fogle-Lindsay won a second place for her “fashionable hippie,” papier-maché puppet.

“Now I know I can make other puppets with my other friends,” she said of completing the project.

• Fourth grader Conor Kamps won a first place for his depiction of “The Blue Link” from the Legend of Zelda video game, in papier-maché form.

“I learned that not all art is easy, because this was really challenging,” said Kamps.

• Second grader Nathan Lange won second place for his foil-bas relief drawing of a frog.

“I just like amphibians,” Lange said of his rationale for the project. “They can go underwater and on land.”

• Sixth grader Savannah Strickland won a first place for her drawing of an O’Keeffe flower.

“I’m going to take it home and put it on my wall,” Strickland said. “It’s the first time I’ve ever done anything like this.”

• Second grader Sarah Rose won a first place for both her adaptation of an O’Keeffe rose and her own in the foil-bas relief category.

“I just like roses,” the young artist said. “And I got to use a lot of bright colors.”

• Like Rose, second grader Kendall Friend also won first place for her O’Keeffe style rose and one of a fish on foil-bas-relief.

“A fish was the first animal I ever had,” she said of her own, which she named “shiny boy.”

“My grandmother will be really proud of me because she’s a great artist,” she said.

• Third grader Kylie Gagner also won a second place award for foil-bas relief and second for an O’Keeffe-like flower.

For those that would like to view the Gordon students’ work, their award-winning pieces will be on display at the Poulsbo Library beginning this week.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.