Pictured: Cara DeBrosse; photograph taken by Emma Schumann
Welcome to the Avatar!
The Avatar is a monthly publication filled with student works and projects all centered around art & literary works, set on showcasing the creative talents of our school. From painting, to writing, to performances, the Avatar is here to display the young artists of our generation in order to promote their growth.
This month's theme: Halloween!
In the spirit of October, this month's theme is centered around the scariest season of the year. Included will be creepy sketches, horrifying artists, and of course, the spookiest creations from our very own students.
Featured Artist
Every month, one artist will win recognition in the Avatar by having the best piece tied to the theme of the month. This month's winner is...
Emma Schumann
Emma Schumann submitted this series of photos into the Purdue University High School Art Exhibition and was accepted into the show, along with Karrington Green and Chelsea Manuel. We wish them luck for the final stages of judging!
Articles
Art News Around School
Frightening Film Fest
Avatar and Art Club have collaborated to create the first ever Shawnee film fest! The deadline to submit is Wednesday, October 27th, and requires a five dollar fee to enter. The winner will receive a grand prize for the group or individual paid for by the submission fees. For more information about rules, check out the flyers posted around school. The Film Fest will be held on Thursday, October 28th, after school in Mr. K's room, 164, and is open to everyone. Stop by for snacks, drinks, and fun!
Art Club's Halloween "Feel Good Frights" Coloring Book
Art Club does at least one community project a month based on spreading art and joy to children. This month, Art Club created a dozen art book pages centered around being kind and sent them to Elmwood in order to give kids a fun Halloween activity! The pages were a success and many children were delighted to color in the "Feel Good Frights". Join Art Club to participate in next months community service!
News Around Art
For a Good Cause
Pictured: Cara DeBrosse [left] holding "A Good Omen" and Natalie Burgess [right] holding "Colorblind"
Coleman Health Services and ArtSpace/Lima partnered to bring about an art show. their annual Art for Recovery auction. The theme this year was "Rediscover HOPE." They asked young artists and businesses all around Lima to donate works for the auction in order to raise funds for Coleman Health Services, which will help better health care around the community. Two of our own students, Cara DeBrosse and Natalie Burgess donated their works for this great cause. Their works, and more, are still available for $25 each at https://e.givesmart.com/events/mku/i/_All/#itemfli2
Call for Submissions
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is the nation’s longest-running, top recognition program for creative teens. The contest accepts both art and writing submissions, both which have a variety of categories to choose from such as painting, jewelry, photography, poetry, journalism, and more. The submission fee is only seven dollars. The deadline to enter is January 4th, 2022. For more information, visit Mr. K or check out their website at https://www.artandwriting.org/regions/IN001A
Articles From Students
Halloween Costumes Inspired by Famous Artists
By Alex Karapondo
Introduction
When thinking of artists, I bet the first thing that pops into your mind is not ghouls, ghosts, and witches, but rather peaceful landscapes, revolutionary paintings, or bright colors. You might be surprised to hear that many traditional halloween costumes were originally inspired by famous paintings and works of art. It’s very interesting how art can be perceived completely differently by one person than another, and then how those observations turn into new ideas completely.
Jackson Pollock’s art style was very controversial in his time. His style of art was considered to be messy, unorganized, and mocking of true artists. His style is defined as abstract expressionism, and can be interpreted differently based upon how one views it. Pollock’s art was done in a freestyle way with no planning, just letting his hands, not his mind, do all the work His works consisted of either completely neutral colors, or a spectrum of bright ones all flung on a canvas, in a splattering arrangement. Not only did he influence many other artists with his style, but his art work is represented in Halloween costumes as well. The Pollock-inspired Halloween costumes seen today often represent a deeper meaning than to just be amusing or entertaining. These costumes can represent emotions, internal conflict, or immortal creatures. Darker spattering of color can represent emotions, sadness, and despair, lighter colors can represent emotions like happiness or joy. Or can even represent demons and angels. It’s amazing how art can be interpreted from one person to the next. This is just one example of how artists have inspired Halloween costumes.
Bob Ross is a more modern artist, and his style consists of beautiful landscape paintings and nature sceneries. He is most famous for his positive attitude and online tutorials as well as his afro. Bob Ross’s style is unlike anyone else’s, and this in turn has helped inspire new Halloween costumes. Individual costumes are usually a costume of Bob ross, complete with paint brushes, canvases, and an afro.There are even family or group costumes inspired by Ross. Group costumes usually have Bob Ross in costume, and the parts of the scenery represented by other people. Some examples are kids dressing head to toe in leaves, as a paintbrush or art pallet.
It’s crazy to think how canvas artwork can be turned into other forms of art, like human representation. These Halloween costumes are unique, creative, and evolutionary, just like Bob Ross’s art work. This is just another example of many artists who have inspired Halloween costumes. Inspiring Halloween costumes probably was not the goal of many artists, which goes to show how the perception of art lies in the eyes of the beholder.
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Halloween Represented In Famous Works of Art
By Alex Karapondo
Introduction
Halloween is a holiday that is celebrated in several countries on the 31st of October. Some believe it was originally a Celtic harvest festival while others say that it is a Christian holiday. This night of spooks and spirits helped influence masterpieces created in a Halloween theme. Before Halloween evolved into the family friendly tradition as we know it today, October the thirty first was linked to superstitions, demons, and ghosts.
11th Century Traditions
The origins of ghosts and demons came from Christian and Pagean Bible stories. In the 11th century, Pageants had a ritual in which they would dress up in costumes. But not just any costumes, costumes representing what we call today ghosts. They wore white clothes to represent the purity of their souls and to ward off evil. They saw the modern day ‘ghost costume’ as a holy spirit sent from God to help guide his people. These white cloth sheets were the origin of the ghost costume. When this tradition was established, women would spend days sewing and preparing these costumes, and then give them to their husbands to go and sell. The creation of these costumes is just one form of art that “Halloween” has inspired.
12th Century Traditions
Another pagean tradition around the 12th century was similar to the 11th century festival. This new festival even builds off of the older one. However, this one only involves kids. The younger kids would dress up in those white veils, and the older kids would dress in ‘devil costumes’. Which was really dark clothes with face paint. The younger kids represented the purity of their souls and God’s protection. While the older kids chased the younger kids to symbolize that the world tempts you with sin. At the end of the festival, the older kids would be blessed by the priest to represent new beginnings.
16th & 17th Century Traditions
As time went on, and we progressed to the 1500s and 1600s, religion was still a very large part of people's daily lives. Therefore, many Christian artists were recruited by priests to paint ‘halloween’ murals in the churches. Which were really just pictures of demons and angels, or people dressed as angels or devils. This represents purity and innocence, or deception and evil intent. Also around this time period, many artists were of Christian or Pagean descent. So, some of the earliest paintings and sculptures were done with fruit dyes and clay. And those picture men dressed in ghost costumes dancing around a fire. Many historians state this is the earliest form of Halloween, and Halloween-based art. This is just a few examples of how Halloween was represented in Art.16th & 17th Century Traditions
Written Works
Poetry
The Streets of Manchester
By: Carson Stewart
The streets of Manchester
Full of paper and talk
Us young men in the enlistment line
We all began our walk
For King and Country we were told
Our opportunity for glory would pass
But where was our King, Country, and Glory
When those trenches filled with gas
Of those young men who stood with me
How many of them bask in the glory
How many of them are still with me
How many can tell their story
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The Ice Field
By: Carter Kohli
Upon an open plain lies ice
Ice so shrill and so pure,
That none would think of the price.
A price paid not in currency,
But in allure.
An allure so strong that many can not leave it.
As I enter I see those frozen in captivation;
Their icy silhouettes, barely moonlit.
I was the only journeyman to return that day.
The townspeople pressed for a tale,
One which I had none to tell.
Filled with disapproval,
They moved on to further reproval.
I myself thought I would fail.
For my legs are that of an injured gazelle,
My face a lopsided oval,
My voice, saddening.
Why was I the one to return?
Why not the one so strong?
The one so quick?
The one so smart?
Or the one so wise?
They all succumb to the ice,
When they looked down,
They never looked up again.
For what they saw I have no guess,
Must have been some paradise,
That for which I am too plain.
I must not have impressed,
The Gatekeeper of the Ice.
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Hallows Eve
By: Alex Karapondo
Cool breeze,
Autumn leaves,
Stiff wind,
On a whim,
Clouds in the sky,
The bats fly by
Dark nights,
Full of frights,
Sweet treats,
Twisted feats,
Witch's nose.
And cornrows.
Spooky, scary,
Spine-chilling
Hallows Eve
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Such A Familiar Feeling
By: Carson Stewart
These years, how they’ve passed me by
The seasons all tend to blend
But in each year, one sticks out
When summer comes to an end
That chill the wind now brings
The leaves begin to fall
It brings such a familiar feeling
A joy that encompasses all
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Captured
By: Alex Karapondo
It’s time, oh yes, it’s that time,
That creatures come back for crime,
That one special day of the year,
Where souls can be taken, far and near
The mischievous children who disobey,
Oh, but they were warned not to stray,
Captured and taken away,
Those bad children will soon pay,
While others get to remain still,
And to keep their free will.
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You, Truly You
By:Carson Stewart
Who are you?
Not the face you show
The lie you put up
The one everyone seems to know
Who are you at your most inner?
The one kept to yourself
The person who seems so far away
Found only in thyself
Oh mysterious soul
Fear not all our taboos
For we, just like you
Are never truly true
To find that sense of peace
To tame you broken soul
Hide not yourself to those around
Be you, truly whole
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Medusa
By: Alex Karapondo
Once upon a starless night,
I heard a sound of restless fright,
A cry of need, not want,
I feel my face grow stiff and taught
My beating heart pounds inside,
Do I remain here, or go outside?
I hear the creature click and clack,
And then upon the door it racks.
“Let me in, oh please just do”
Oh gracious God, what to do?
I’m paralyzed in fear,
Blocking out it’s taunting jeer,
The door rattles,
The thing cackles,
I shake, I gasp, I turn to go,
But before I know it, I turn to stone.
Those Strangers You Love
By:Carson Stewart
Look at those around you
The ones you’ve grown to love
Your friends, your family, your lovers
Even the ones who are now above
Now look at all the others
Those you care for not
Maybe you’ve said few words to them
Maybe you have fought
Now think of them as more than that
For they are loved by some
They are just as alive as you
So to them, do not be numb
In our haste to judge others
We tend to soon forget
That just like them, we are not perfect
We all have our debt
Photographs
2021/22 Avatar Staff
Natalie Burgess - Editor, Avatar President
Mr. Krawetzke - Avatar Advisor
- Contributing Members -
Cara DeBrosse, Emma Schumann, Alex Karapondo, Caitlyn Smitheram, Carson Stewart, Carter Kohli, Perri Webb, Avrie Dunlap, Jazmin Loaiza-ordonez, Mason Reed, Chelsea Manuel, Stephanie McFadden, Payton Modshiedler, Evan Clayton, Isaac Thomas, Karrington Green, Lena Parsley, Jazmine Scott