Student art spotlight: Timberlake talent

Two high school students are sure to make waves in the arts world.

They're already crafting memorable pieces and exploring the vast expanses of their creative minds.

"My goal is to not only help myself and other people feel more understood and represented with expressive art or sculpting but to also spread important messages and stories through my art," Timberlake High School junior Hazel Stapler told The Press.

Hazel is a multifaceted artist who has created exemplary work in painting and drawing. This year, Hazel created a body of work that took on a theme of distortion and the macabre. Using traditional hand-building techniques with clay, she juxtaposed elements that perhaps don't belong, surprising the viewer and evoking a visceral response. Hazel is fearless with experimentation and play. These attributes have made her an inspiring classmate and leader in the studio.

"I draw a lot of inspiration from a well-known artist by the name of Salvador Dali who once said, 'You have to systematically create confusion, it sets creativity free. Everything that is contradictory creates life,'" Hazel said. "I find this statement an amazing expression of my art as well as the art of many others."

Timberlake senior Shelby Adkison has pursued an installation of artwork that was displayed and experienced May 12 at Timberlake's annual Night of the Arts. Her installation was a recreation of "The Last Supper," inspired by the Bible. This one piece was the culmination of eight months of work. It consists of 13 charcoal portraits of Jesus's 12 disciples, and in the middle Jesus is represented with a close-up composition of the eye of Jesus and his crown of thorns. The supper was complete with the table set with full cups (handmade pottery by Brad Sondahl of Spirit Lake), bread and grapes. 

"Viewers of the installation were visibly moved by the experience of standing before the table as though it were an invitation to sit and join in fellowship," art teacher Lindsey Davis-Smith said. "Shelby's hard work and vision proved successful as some viewers were even moved to tears."

Shelby said the Night of the Arts was a powerful event, especially as she witnessed how many people were affected by her installation.

"I definitely think that the Holy Spirit was there that night, like in Matthew 18:20, 'For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them,'" she said. "And I do think that this was just my way of worshiping Him, having so many people willing to engage in worship alongside me was absolutely incredible. His glory was revealed that night, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I pray this was a life-changing night for people, I pray a seed was planted. 'For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.' 2 Timothy 1:7."

    Timberlake High senior Shelby Adkison pursued an installation artwork this year that was displayed and experienced at Timberlake's annual Night of the Arts. Her installation was a recreation of "The Last Supper," inspired by the Bible. It consists of 13 charcoal portraits of Jesus's 12 disciples, and in the middle Jesus is represented with a close-up composition of the eye of Jesus and his crown of thorns (pictured).
  

    Timberlake High School senior Shelby Adkison created an installation of artwork this year that was displayed and experienced at Timberlake's annual Night of the Arts. Her installation was a recreation of "The Last Supper," inspired by the Bible.
  

    "Baby Vase," by Hazel Stapler, 11th grade, Timberlake High School.