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Shadow Doherty accepted for All State Art

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West Central Valley High School Artists have done it again.  Shadow Doherty has been accepted as an All-State Artist.  Of all 1A schools in the state 5 artists were selected and WCV had 2 of them.  This is a very big accomplishment and we should all be proud for her hard work and talents.  Shadow is an artist that works with found materials to make amazing sculptures.  There will be an award ceremony at the Des Moines Art Festival in June.  Wonderful job by some wonderful people.   Mr. Claire

"Artist Write Up"

My personal choice of art style is what I like to call found/rediscovered art. This is because in all of my projects I choose to use things that most people would discard or destroy, but I see the potential in them. To see what they could become.  I grew up not having a lot of money or things just to waste, you learn quickly how to make something out of anything. I see all of the waste in this world and try to show the viewer other possibilities.  That everything can serve a purpose and say a message even the overlooked.  I tend to use objects that people find gross or trash and try to find the beauty in them.  I’ve always been attracted to outsider art, my grandpa was always using what we had to make something new.  I guess I’ve always been drawn to what might make others feel uncomfortable; clowns, bones, and such and tried to show other sides of them.  Whether it's trying to show the reverence of the animal kingdom or how others may treat others like outsiders because of their looks.  I also like to explore the idea of what is beneath the surface level.  Playing with things that could destroy our lives, losing our childhood, and what’s underneath the show we put on.  Ultimately, I like to shine the light on the discarded in many forms.   And in a world of junk and being left out, we shift our focus to what we have and embrace the beauty.