Conant student art on display at Harper Art Show

Jessica Pfeifer | Conant Crier

A selection of the Conant artworks on display at the 41st Annual Harper Area High School Art Show.

Lining the halls of William Rainey Harper College this month are brightly colored sculptures, paintings, and graphic design. These eye-catching artworks were created by students in districts 211, 214, and 220 as part of the 41st Annual Harper Area High School Art Show.

This year, Conant has dozens of artworks on display from classes across the Art and Media Department. Any student in an art class could submit an artwork, then Conant art teachers selected which pieces would be displayed and subsequently judged in three categories: 2D, 3D, and 4D art. Each school competed against itself and had its own awards

Best of Show was also awarded to one artwork from each of the three categories across all of the schools. This year, Lia Okada, ‘27, won Best of Show in 4D for her collage animation. As her prize, Okada received a scholarship to a Harper art course.

Some of the Conant winners at the award reception on November 20.

Art shows like this allow high school students to receive recognition for their artistic skills while also encouraging them to experiment and embrace their creativity.

First place winner in Conant’s 4D category for her short film “Are You Afraid of the Dark?”, Evalyn Nowak, ‘25, said, “With this film I wanted to try something new. I had never made anything too scary before and I wanted to try my hand at it.”

Students also get the opportunity to see artwork made by other high school students across several districts.

Olivia Rosales

Colored pencil drawing of Rosales’ bedroom – awarded 1st place in 2D at the 2024 Harper Area High School Art Show.

“I love going to art shows like [this] because they are a great opportunity to see what others are making in our community and support the artwork of other young artists,” first and second place winner in Conant’s 2D category, Olivia Rosales, ‘24 said.

Okada echoed this sentiment. “I realized the true meaning of creativity and the talents of other high schoolers in my area. [Their artworks] inspired me to continue making art since there are endless possibilities to what I can make next.”

You can view Okada, Rosales, and Nowak’s works as well as all of the other students in Harper College’s A and C buildings through December 5.

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