Student artists honored in Goodyear’s Mayor Select Art Program

By Mary Goldmeer
Mail

The city of Goodyear recognized the creativity and talent of local high school artists during its annual Mayor Select Art Program reception at Goodyear City Hall.

Ethan Baker received the event’s highest honor, winning Best in Show for his piece titled "Normal Everyday Activities." Baker’s work was selected from a competitive pool of entries submitted by Goodyear middle and high school students.

Ethan Baker wins Best in Show for his piece titled "Normal Everyday Activities."

Mary Goldmeer/Independent Newsmedia

The juried art competition,  hosted by the city’s Arts and Culture Commission, featured 31 entries from 25 student artists, marking the highest participation in several years, according to Dalton Attig, a recreation programmer for the city.

“The city of Goodyear really loves to support these young students and their artwork, we received so many great submissions,” Attig said.

Winners in each category received scholarships and awards during the May 8 ceremony at 1900 N. Civic Square. First-place winners were awarded $250 scholarships, while runners-up received $150. The Best in Show recipient earned a $600 scholarship. 

Among the winners was Persephone Preciado, who took first place in the Drawing and Painting category for her charcoal portrait titled "Reflection." The piece, her first attempt at working in charcoal, is a deeply personal self-portrait created as a way to process her senior year of high school.

Persephone Preciado takes first place in the Drawing and Painting category for herself portrait "Reflection."

Mary Goldmeer\Independent Newsmedia

“I made this as a reflection of my overall senior year,” Preciado said. “I took the photo right at the start of this year and drew it now, so then at the end of it, I could look at what I did and who I was before I started. It’s good to compare that to where I am now and the skills I’ve developed.”

Preciado originally created the piece for a school assignment but later submitted it to the city competition. She plans to attend Arizona State University in the fall to study fine arts and business management with the goal of growing her mural art business.

“I’m a mural artist, and I can paint on large scales,” she stated. “I’m known for realistic landscapes and portraits, but my style is versatile — I paint whatever my client wants. I hope I can be a full-time artist.”

Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo, who helped present the awards, praised the students for their exceptional creativity and technical skill.

“I’m a numbers guy, and I love art mainly because I can’t do it,” Pizzillo said. “I’m just fascinated by the art these students create. We’ve got a great group of young people with great art. It was very difficult to make decisions.”

The Mayor Select Art Program is open to students in grades nine through 12 who live in or attend school in Goodyear.

For more information, visit goodyearaz.gov.