News

Jerde conferred prestigious award

By Scott Wagar

01/13/2015

Ashleigh Jerde has just been granted the highest honor in the Scholastic Art Awards with a piece she entered in the 2014 VFW and Ladies Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Scholarship program, which gives honor and recognition to our country’s veterans. 

“Ashleigh submitted a portfolio of eight art works to the Scholastic Art Awards at the state level,” said Dianne Volk, art teacher for Bottineau High School. “Ashleigh’s portfolio was awarded a silver key. Three of her pieces received honorable mention. Her drawing titled, ‘Hands of Patriotism’ was awarded a gold key and was one of five nominated for the American Vision Award. This piece will be forwarded to the national level (of the Scholastic Art Award).”  

“Hands on Patriotism,” which won in the drawing and illustration category of the Scholastic Art Awards, has a modern feel to it that catches a person’s eye immediately with a distinct aspect of imagery.

In the forefront of the piece, there are eight hands that hold colorful, patriotic symbolism, while the background is filled with images of intricate black and white shapes and forms that interlock military composition in mood, tone and texture. 

“In my opinion, the most patriotic person or people in our nation are our troops and veterans,” Jerde said. “With my experience, of having my father in the National Guard, I know it isn’t easy having a soldier or veteran as a family member or friend. Families and friends of our troops have to have courage and stand by their country to support their loved ones, even when it is difficult. 

“In my piece, I used hands to portray the many lives and people that are touched by having a soldier or veteran as a friend or family member. The hands also represent all the people who contribute, and are involved, in the life of a soldier or veteran including the soldier or veteran,” she continued.

“And, I used many things and events that I feel are significant to patriotism,” Jerde added. “A service flag, letters from the frontlines, the Purple Heart, a military funeral, a veteran at the Vietnam Memorial, raising the flag at Iwo Jima, a fallen comrade and the American Bald Eagle.” 

The Scholastic Art Awards is a national art program the state of North Dakota just became part of in 2014. Jerde stated that she was pleased to be granted the gold key for her piece. 

“I was very surprised to hear that I did so well. I always hope for the best going into every contest, but I wasn’t expecting this at all,” Jerde said. “Now that I know though I am extremely excited and I can’t wait to go to the awards supper, to see other students art and of course see my art in a museum, which is every artists dream.”

The students who won at the Scholastic Art Awards will have their pieces displayed at the Plains Art Museum (PAM) in Fargo from Jan. 16 through Feb. 22. 

On Tuesday, Jan. 17, Jerde along with three guests and Volk will attend a ceremony at PAM where Jerde will be recognized and awarded a Scholastic Art Award certificate and a gold key pin.

Volk will also be recognized at the ceremony with an educator pin. 

As for Volk, having a Bottineau High School’s art student win in the Scholastic Art Awards, is a delight in her own heart for Jerde. 

“Ashleigh is an excellent and dedicated artist,” Volk said. “It is nice to have her artwork recognized in this way.”