Cypress Lake teen wins state art honor

Paper towels, ink, paint and fabric are just a few of the items Etienne Wasson, 13, of Cypress Lake Middle school used to create a piece of art that won her top honors.

Wasson, a seventh grader, placed second for middle school mixed-media as part of a Designs & Dreams student artists competition.

“I didn’t even know that it was for a contest and when I won ... I was like ‘wow,’” said Wasson, who created a still life collage as a class project in art class. “I tried my best on that.”

Carolyn Gora, the art teacher at the middle school, submitted 30 of her students’ pieces for the competition that is the largest annual art show in the state.

“I sent in pieces and ten of my students were selected,” said Gora, who selected the art based on something that would be colorful and appealing. “The art is just very important because art is so visual and it’s our way of reminding everybody how important it is.”

Picking the right pieces for the competition, Gora said, was important because the art will be hung at the Public Education building in Fort Myers.

“The building is new and it’s great because the space is four hallways that intersect,” said Gora about the exhibit that will host a grand opening on Oct. 23. “It’s a revolving art show because every year we put up new artwork and put away the old art.”

The art Wasson created not only earned her an award but she will get the opportunity to share it with the community.

“I basically tried my best on it because I like art,” said Wasson adding that art has been a part of her life since she was younger and used to color with markers.”

The Dreams & Design student awards focus on two dimensional and three dimensional artwork including drawings, paintings, collage, print making and ceramics.

“It’s a way for us to show off the art and allow our students to be in the largest exhibit in the state,” said Gora adding that artwork submissions pour in from around the country. “I’m thrilled that she won. She is somebody who is a hard worker and meticulous.”