South HS 2012 Spring Art Show

The public is cordially invited to attend the 2012 Spring Art Show at South High School in Downers Grove.  The show opens on Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 6:00 PM and will be in public exhibition until Tuesday, May 8, 2012. 

The show will feature the 2D and 3D works of more than 500 student artist currently enrolled in the visual arts at South High School.  Additionally, the show features the "Senior Black Box," an exhibition in the Black Box which features the work of seniors in the South High School Art program. 

"This show is always a highlight of the year for me" said South HS Fine Arts Chairman Glenn Williams.  "The work of the senior students displayed in the stunning space in the Black Box showcases the great work of these student artists in a professional manner."

During the weekend, the exhibit will be open during normal business hours, 8 AM until 4 PM.  For more information about this show, or about the visual arts at South High School, contact Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org.

RAKU Day 2012

Led by DG South visual art teachers Kathy Myles and Molly O'Brien-Prusa, DGS student ceramicists today embarked on the 12th annual Raku/Primitive Firing event at South High School in Downers Grove.  Raku pottery is created with a specific ceramic firing process that uses extreme temperatures, fire and smoke to create unique patterns and designs. The student work that emerges from the smoke and fire of the day is visually stunning.

Karl Mankert, our RAKU "guru" from Chicago Kiln Service, was impressed by the work, and, the work ethic of the South HS ceramicists.  "The student products are at a professional level, but most impressive is the instituational knowledge these kids have of ceramics.  It is quite remarkable."

Look for these brilliantly developed pieces during the coming Spring Art Show starting on Thursday, May 3, 2012. Way to go, DGS student ceramicists!!

D99 Artists shine at Fremd HS 4 x 5 exhibition

Thirteen visual art students from Downers Grove North and Downers Grove South High Schools were recently recognized with awards at the William Fremd High School 4x5 ArtShow. “The show at Fremd is a unique opportunity for our students,” said North High Fine Arts Chairperson Brayer Teague. “Every piece of art submitted for juried exhibition must conform to the exact dimensions of four inches by five inches. In some ways it constrains the artist, yet it also forces students to think very imaginatively about how they can best utilize the space available.”

South High Fine Arts Chairperson Glenn Williams reflected on the recent successes of District 99 visual art students. “The awards garnered by students in our school district continue to show a commitment to artistic excellence. We are very proud of these students, and their teachers who serve as exceptional creative mentors.”

This regional exhibit will display artwork from students of thirty-three high schools from the Chicago area. There approximately 1,000 pieces created in the categories of drawing, painting, digital photography, film photography, relief, sculpture, computer generated imagery, printmaking and mixed media. The Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony will be held at Wiliam Fremd High School on Wednesday, May 2nd, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. The exhibition is free and open to the public.


Winning the coveted ‘Best of Show’ honor – presented to only one student of the nearly one-thousand participants – was DGN senior Siga Kisielius (North-Sculpture).


A ‘1st Place’ award went to Rebecca Ridderoff (North-Drawing).
Capturing ‘2nd Place’ awards were Autumn Moberg (North-3D), Kenzie Niestrom (North-Relief) and Madeline Snyder (South-Drawing).
‘3rd Place’ honors were awarded to Chris Behnke (South-Relief).

‘Honorable Mention’ recognitions went to Bridget Bicek (South-Digital Photography), Kevin Brinkman (North-3D), Jessica Bronke (South-3D), Emma Brzezinski (North-3D), Jack McGrath (North-Drawing), Ansley McLeod (North-Painting), and Bibi Tambik (South-Digital Photography).

South HS presents "Kiss Me, Kate"

South High School in Downers Grove is proud to present "Kiss Me, Kate," the 2012 musical production presented by the A Cappella Choir.  The show opens on Thursday, April 19 at 7:00 PM.  The run continues on Friday, April 20th and Saturday, April 21rst, also at 7:00 PM.  The final performance is Sunday, April 22 at 3:00 PM.  All performances are in the auditorium at South High School.  Adult tickets are $8, student tickets are $7.  Tickets are available for purchase at the box office the evening of the performances.

Set as a "play within a play" with Shakepeare's The Taming of the Shrew, the show features lyrics and music by Cole Porter, including the songs So in Love, Another Openin', Another Show, Wunderbar, and Too Darn Hot.  Through the script and music, the characters unveil the process of submission in relationships between men and women.   In total, the cast, crew and pit orchestra for this production exceeds 175 students.  "We are thrilled to enact this great Cole Porter piece on the stage at South High School." said Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams.  For information about this production, contact Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org.

2012 D99/WPL Art Exhibition

Opening on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at the Woodridge Public Library, more than 100 student artists from North and South High Schools in Downers Grove collaborated with the Woodridge Public Library to create a breathtaking exhibit of student art work.

The visual art teams at DGS and DGN believe that finding a public venue to showcase student work is an essential element of a strong visual art program.  The collaboration between South, North and the Village of Woodridge is producing fabulous benefits for students, and, for the community at large.


In 2008, a joint committee comprised of members from schools, park districts, and government agencies on which Susan McNeil-Marshall , WPL Administrator, and Dr. Mark McDonald were members was convened. The purpose of this committee was to generate inter-agency cooperation within our community.

This committee met and serendipitously brainstormed the idea of a combined art show at the same time that the Woodridge/Great Frame Up store could no longer sponsor a spring show for both campuses.  The staff and students of District 99 extend a special hanks to Suzyn Mills for sponsoring a North and South Creative Self Expression Great Frame Up Show for nearly a decade.  Suzyn's dedication to student artists in District 99 has been phenomenal.

The show runs until April 23rd, and is available for public viewing during the normal operating hours of the Woodrige Public Library.

Additionally, each campus submitted eight pieces in multiple media categories.  The student work was then evaluated and ranked, producing a 3D best in show, a 2D best in show, and a top winner in each category.  The staff of teachers at South and North High Schools is proud to acknowledge these category award winners in the 2012 D99/WPL Art Show:


3D Best in Show
Emma Brzezinski – North
Kate McCann – South

“Creative Self-Expression” 2D Best in Show
Barbara Armstrong – North
Danielle Bonczkowski – South

Ceramics
Amanda Papp - North
Nick Herrara – South

Computer Art
Ellyn Cullotto – North
Jimmy Jagen - South

Design
Insiya Mansoor - South

Drawing
Jackie McGrath – North
Maddie Snyder – South

Jewelry
Julie McNeil – North
Bret Brugh - South

Painting
Ansley McLeod – North
Paige Miller - South

Photography
Morgan Sandacz – North
Hayley Gomoll - South

D99/WPL Art Showing Opening

The District 99 Visual Art team cordially invites you to attend the D99/WPL Art Showing opening, held tonight, April 4, from 6-8 PM at the Woodridge Public Library.  Nearly 100 works, created by students from both North and South, are viewable in this public exbition.  A brief ceremony acknowleding media category award winners and a 2D and 3D "Best in Show" from each campus will occur at 7 PM.  The show will remain in exhibition until April 23rd, 2012.  The show is viewable during normal operating hours for the Woodridge Public Library.  For more information, contact Glenn Williams, South High School Fine Arts Chairman, at gwilliams@csd99.org.

South HSWind Ensemble to perform at U of I Super State

Congratulations to the members of the Wind Ensemble from South High School in Downers Grove for being selected, through competitive recorded audition, to perform at the University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Contest. This is the third consecutive year this honor has been bestowed upon this fine ensemble.

The University of Illinois Bands and the School of Music presents the 2012 Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival on May 4-5, 2012. The finest middle school, junior high and senior high school concert bands from the state of Illinois will be invited to participate and present a performance on the Foellinger Great Hall stage. The 2012 SuperState Festival will conclude with an encore performance given by the Illinois Wind Symphony, conducted by Dr. Robert Rumbelow.

Receiving an invitation to the SuperState Concert Band Festival is the crowning achievement for concert bands in the state of Illinois. Only the finest concert bands are selected to participate at this exclusive event. Each selected band will receive a special SuperState participation plaque to commemorate their success and the experience of performing in the Foellinger Great Hall.

The South High School Wind Ensemble will perform in Class AAA on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 1:45 PM in the Foellinger Great Hall on the U of I campus. Tickets are available for purchase at the door.