April 9, 2025
Story by Joe Vinduska
Courtesy photos submitted
The Shafer Art Gallery’s annual “Vortex Day” exhibit and juried art show returned this spring, featuring artwork from high school students around the area featuring over 140 pieces from Great Bend, Central Plains, Hoisington, Larned, and Chase high schools.
The Vortex Day event consists of art-centered workshops taught by Barton faculty and staff. Over seventy students attended this year. Students participated in workshops on various topics, including ceramics, drawing, and photography. They also got a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes work in the gallery. The highlight is always the juried art show, where the students are recognized for their talents and given prizes. The winners this year are as follows:
Pottery:
First Place, Devin Davison, “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility,” Central Plains
Second Place, Kam Montoya, “Lemon Drop,” Central Plains
Third Place, Natalie Kendall Hixson, “Bunny Surprise,” Chase
Sculpture:
First Place, Matti Obrien, “Split Personalities,” Central Plains
Second Place, Temprance Donecker, “Forged Beauty,” Larned
Third Place, Harmony Demoret, “Brit the Bird,” Chase
Design:
First Place, Rylie Kaiser, “Permanent Head Cold,” Great Bend
Second Place, Kendra Brasuel, “Floral Reverie,” Larned
Third Place, Marleigh Johnson, “Vi,” Larned
Mixed Media:
First Place, Maggie Haas, “Untitled,” Larned
Second Place, Ali Black, “Teresa,” Chase
Third Place, Natalia Loera, Abigail Nelson, Diana Piedra, and Katarina Wood, “Falin,” Great Bend
Painting:
First Place, Camilla McQuade, “Aquaduct,” Great Bend
Second Place, Lilly Mater, “Daytime Sky,” Hoisington
Third Place, Isis Obrien, “Emerge,” Central Plains
Drawing - Color:
First Place, Karma Sieliet, “You Have Guts,” Central Plains
Second Place, Rylie Kaiser, “Miserable and Stunning,” Great Bend
Third Place, Leah Pinkston, “F4 Corsair Ready for Air,” Larned
Drawing - Grayscale:
First Place, Milla Elliot, “Here in the Forest Where Quiet Souls Roam, Treasured Dreams and Bones Find a Home,” Great Bend
Second Place, Brooke Bodine, “Nose Study,” Great Bend
Third Place, Ady Green, “Pursuit of Happiness,” Central Plains
Drawing - Portrait:
First Place, Camilla McQuade, “Ryder,” Great Bend
Second Place, Leah Pinkston, “George McFly: Then and Now,” Larned
Third Place, Trinton Bins, “1,000 Yard Stare,” Hoisington
Gallery’s Choice:
Brielle Torres, “Eye Study,” Great Bend
Best 2D:
Boston Robison, “Fawn,” Central Plains
Best 3D:
Alden Metro, “Blue Frog,” Central Plains
Best Overall:
Kaylyn Snodgrass, “Starburst Mini Dress,” Larned
Next Year’s Poster:
Maria Mata, “I See You,” Great Bend
For more information, contact Shafer Art Gallery Acting Director Richard Lartz at lartzr@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9342.