District seniors showcased their creative talents at the annual Senior Art Show, held April 10 at Heartland Credit Union.
The event, organized by the school’s art department, featured a wide range of artwork displayed on metal racks and tables, including paintings, photographs, pottery, and jewelry. Guests were welcomed with a table of refreshments as they browsed the student exhibits.
At the end of the evening, art teacher Marie Taylor announced that senior Christina Nguyen had been selected as the recipient of the $500 Joe Pfannenstiel Memorial Scholarship.
“The scholarship we give is named after Joe Pfannenstiel. He taught in my room for many years at Maize,” Taylor said. “He was a really fun art teacher and worked up until the day he passed away. Even while battling cancer, he wanted to come in and work. We give this scholarship in his memory to any student going into the art field or an art career. We want to remember his name and pass it forward to help a student.”
After reviewing portfolios submitted by senior art students, the art department selected Nguyen based on the strength and creativity of her work.
“Looking at my art compared to everyone else’s, I didn’t personally think that mine was as good,” Nguyen said. “There are some people I didn’t even know who were so talented. Seeing that in comparison puts everything in perspective.”
One of the standout pieces in her portfolio was a watercolor collage that incorporated four images based on her mother’s cooking.
“I had a collage painting that I did, along with different sketches using colored pencil and watercolor,” Nguyen said. “The watercolor painting was my best. It used the theme of my mom’s cooking to represent who she is, my culture, and that aspect of family in my life.”
The Senior Art Show has been a tradition at Maize High for the past decade. Local businesses have helped promote the event over the years, and Heartland Credit Union has hosted it for the past three.
“Heartland is generous to have the show on display even during business hours for over a week,” Taylor said. “It’s a chance for people in the community to come and see the art outside school walls, which means a lot.”
The show gives students an opportunity to celebrate their creative growth and share their work with friends, family, and the community.
“I’ve always looked forward to the senior art show,” Nguyen said. “I submitted everything I’ve been working on for the past four years.”
The exhibit will remain on display at Heartland Credit Union, located on Maize Road, for the community to view.
