Spring Jazz Concert featuring the Vern Spevak Big Band

Congratulations to the student musicians in Jazz Workshop, Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble for presenting a fabulous concert last evening.  The special guest artists, the Vern Spevak Big Band, filled the house with amazing sounds, representing some of the finest performing jazz musicians in the Chicagoland area.  The concert patrons walked away sonically amazed by the performances throughout the evening.

In case you missed the performance last night, catch the rebroadcast on the High School Cube by clicking here.

Congressional Art Show People's Choice Awards - VOTE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Several South High School students have work entered in Congressman Bill Foster's Congressional Art Show.  Currently, there is a social media vote being cast for the "People's Choice" Award.  To exercise your artistic franchise, click on this link to "like" the work of Mustang artists, and, of other student artists in the region.  Thanks for voting!

RAKU Day 2015

Led by DG South visual art teachers Kathy Myles and Molly O'Brien-Prusa during a picture-perfect weather day, DGS student ceramicists from Ceramics II and Ceramics Studio classes today participated in the 15th 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. Western-style raku usually involves removing pottery from the kiln while at bright red heat and placing it into containers with combustible materials. Once the materials ignite, the containers are closed. This produces an intense reduction atmosphere which effects the colors in glazes and clay bodies. The drastic thermal shock also produces cracking (known as crackling since it is deliberate).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.  In addition to providing the equipment for the RAKU day, Mr. Mankert coaches and teaches the student artists in the subtle techniques of RAKU firing.  Special thanks to Friends of Fine Arts (FOFA) for supporting Mr. Mankert's visit and his work with student artists.

Look for these brilliantly developed pieces during the coming Spring Art Show starting on Thursday, May 14, 2015. It is a great day indeed to be a Mustang artist!

2015 WPL/D99 Art Show @WoodridgePL @Dist_99

More than 150 student artists from North and South High Schools in District 99 have collaborated with the Woodridge Public Library to create a breathtaking exhibit of student art work.

The visual art teams at DGN and DGS believe that finding a public venue to showcase student work is an essential element of a strong visual art program.  The collaboration between District 99 and the Village of Woodridge is producing fabulous benefits for students and the community at large. The staff and students of District 99 extend a special thanks to Susan McNeil-Marshall, WPL Administrator, for serving as the host for the exhibition.

The art show is juried by the D99 staff.  Awards are presented by media strand, and, for an overall Best in Show for 2D and 3D

The show runs through April 29 and is available for public viewing during the normal operating hours of the Woodridge Public Library.

South High School Awards
Best in Show - 2D - Allison Quinn
Best in Show - 3D - Rob Batten

CERAMICS                                                                                                  

1. Anastasiya Lesyuk - "Bloom"

2. Emma Hansen - "Untitled"

3. Sam DeAnda - "Linoleum Print Pot"

DRAWING

1. Nicole Wroblewski - "Poultry Pete"

2. Khrystyna Bonkovska - "My Friend Elena"

3. Jordan Danalewich - "Overlord"

PAINTING

1. Lauren Wolfe - "Evolution of the Corvette"

2. Jocelyn Danalewich - Dance of the Seven Veils"

3. Jakub Smolen - "Tommy Boys"

PHOTOGRAPHY

1. Hannah Wood - "What's Not Seen"

2. Jose Sanchez - "Bound"

3. Crystal Panganiban - "Behind Me"

DIGITAL ART

1. Arabella Zurbano - "Step One"  Wanting"

2. Chris Lippi - "Self-Portrait"

3. Katie Turyna - "Absence"

JEWELRY

1. Anna Merikas - "Bye Bye Birdie"

2. Mireya Valdez - "Tear Drop"

3. Alex Castillo - "Inlayed"

MIXED MEDIA
1. Jimmy Schatmeyer - "See You Later Alligator"
2. Gladys Jacob - "Down The Drain"
3. Gabriele Macenis - "Abstract Eggs"

DESIGN
1. Tylie Loya - "Rabbit Redux"
2. Khrystyna Bonkovska - "Cleo"
3. Delilah Garcia - "Spring Has Sprung"

North High School Awards
Best in Show - 2D - Livija Rainyte
Best in Show - 3D - Kathleen Gannon

CERAMICS 

1.  Bridget Shatkus -  “Astroidea”

2.  McKenna Tallon - “Raidne”

3.  Livija Rainyte - “Glassine Eyes”

JEWELRY

1.  Tyler Hester -  “Ars Longa, Vita Brevis”

2.  Anayexi Angeles - “Horizon”

3.  Kathleen Gannon - “Octo”

COMIC ART

1.  Claire Kozik - “Heart-Breaker and Heart-Eater

2.  Skye Schlottman - “Pop, Punk, Rock”

3.  Claudia Hernandez - “Chaos”

DIGITAL ART 

1.  Emma Wilson - “Grushenka”

2.  Emma Wilson - “Portrait of Dostoyevsky”

3.  Claudia Hernandez - “Prancing” &  Katie Igoe “Dance Triptych”

EXPRESSIVE PORTRAITURE

1.  Aubrey Saha - “Unravelling”

2.  Brooke Pryor - “Mina, Eliza, Molly”

3.  Liam Perez - “Floral Self-Portrait”

IMAGINATIVE DRAWING

1.  Aubrey Saha - “Wolf Furnace”

2.  Brooke Pryor - “Searching”

3.  Abby Kosek - “Lorin Sees All”

PHOTOGRAPHY

1.  Andie Sherman - “Nowhere”

2.  Tom Lally - “Empty House”

3.  Abby Hodonicki - “Intimidation Tactics” &  Jacob Malzenski “Visible Fragrance”

REALISTIC DRAWING

1.  John Klasing - “Self-Portrait”

2.  Audrey Staron - “Incongruence”

3.  Ben Gartlan - “Look Behind You”