WHS art student earns recognition

Wahkiakum High School senior Connor Emlen-Petterson received the highest score from a panel of judges for his piece, "An Improbable Fisherman" in the 43rd Annual Southwest Washington Regional High School Art Show on March 15.

There were 267 entries by 233 students from 26 high schools. Emlen-Petterson's work, along with 19 other winners will move on to state competition.

The senior was also offered a $20,000 scholarship from the Oregon College of Art and Craft, which he turned down.

"It was a big hit," Emlen-Petterson said of his piece, still surprised and obviously pleased. "I did not see that coming. It wasn't even one of my favorites."

He described his work which had been an assignment on surrealism by Sue Garn, the high school art teacher. Garn had asked the students to include an old toaster in the piece.

"It has a moody atmosphere," Emlen-Petterson said, "with a fisherman perched on a toaster."

Emlen-Petterson has been drawing since he was young, but admits he didn't get serious, even obsessive about it until 2014. In 2015 he began drawing every day to give himself a sense of purpose.

"The only real talent is wanting to do it," he said of art, "and to do it on a regular basis. It's all about practice. It's about observing and storing the information in your mental hard drive and then trying to represent what you've observed in your own way on paper."

"Art doesn't have to be my sole purpose," he said, "it's given me the confidence to look beyond."

That's why he turned down the scholarship.

"My personal values go more toward environmental conservation," Emlen-Petterson said.

He is looking forward to attending Evergreen State College in Olympia this fall to study environmental science. He will continue with art as well.

Connor is the son of Audrey and Andrew Emlen-Petterson of Skamokawa.

Garn submitted Emlen-Petterson's work along with pieces by Bryanna Peek, Ellie Leitz, Trinity Klecker and Kara Haney. This was the very first time art work by WHS students was represented in the 43 year old contest.

To see his work, along with other winners, go to http://www.esd112news.org and look for the story on the art show.