Student artist finding niche
BY IRENE THIRLWALL - ITHIRLWALL@SIERRASTAR.COM

IRENE THIRLWALL
Art student at Yosemite High School, Jessica Sweat, stands next to some of her art work that will be shown at the Timberline Gallery May 18 to June 6.

Jessica Sweat, a junior at Yosemite High School, is an art student who’s work has been chosen to be displayed at the Timberline Gallery in Oakhurst.

Her work will begin being shown next Wednesday, May 18 and will run until June 6 in the Featured Artists section. The gallery will be holding an artist’s reception on Saturday, May 28 from 3 to 5 p.m. Last year’s student artist was Patch Kientz, also a junior from YHS.

Each student’s work is chosen by the youth arts coordinator at the Timberline Gallery, Jacqueline Kurtt.

“I saw potential and growth,” Kurtt said. “I was impressed by her. I was after a student that was serious about her art. She sees her art continuing and growing. And she is considering going to art school.”
Sweat explained how her work was introduced to Kurtt.

“Jacqueline came to art class and looked at our works,” Sweat said. “I brought in my portfolio and she chose me.”

Sweat and Kurtt together sorted through Sweat’s works and picked which ones to be shown.

Sweat said she felt this is a great learning experience in her art career.
“I was glad, cause this is a great opportunity to learn how to put together an art show,” Sweat said. “And also it’s good for college. I’ve learned a lot of things I didn’t learn in my art class, like matting, framing and presentation.”

As far as how she feels about her work being chosen to be on display in a local art gallery, Sweat is proud.

“It’s great,” she said. “It feels like a great accomplishment.”

Sweat said the work that is being shown is work she created from last summer until now. She said she started painting two years ago and has been drawing ever since she can remember. Sweat’s plans are to get into a good art college and added she would like to stay in California for awhile. But she does hope to travel to Europe for a short time.

Sweat acknowledged her past art teachers as bringing her to this point.

“In grade school, Mr. Wilhite and at YHS, Ms. Rivka Schaffner and Mrs. Hendricksen,” she said.

Sweat first began drawing character animation and today her work is complex and creative. For more information, call Timberline Gallery at (559) 683-3345 or visit the Web site www.timberlineartgallery.com

Yosemite Joint Union High School District News