Holladay Intermediate Magnet
School Students' Art Work Drawing Acclaim both Near and Far

TUCSON - May 11, 2010 - Students from Holladay Intermediate Magnet School earned their art department a $1,500 donation for participating in an Earth Day Photo contest hosted by Bing™, the decision engine from Microsoft®, in conjunction with Artsonia. The award was announced on April 20.

Holladay had more than 20 students take part in the contest, with most advancing past the first three rounds of the competition. The students' photos can be found at the two URLs listed below:

http://www.bing.com/visualsearch?g=earthday_
photocontest&form=MFEVSS&publ=E arthday
&crea=STND_MFEVSS_Cause _PhotCon_
EDVS_1x1#school=120

http://www.bing.com/visualsearch?g=earthday_
photocontest&form=MFEVSS&publ=E arthday
&crea=STND_MFEVSS_Cause_ PhotCon_
EDVS_1x1#school=119

The following week, Clementine Nostrant, a third grader at Holladay, was a featured artist of the week for Artsonia, where more than 2.5 million pieces of art have been submitted in the 2009/2010 school year alone. Artsonia is an online art museum for school children, exclusively featuring the artwork of students.

"Our Artsonia participation has enabled our young artists to publish their work internationally as well as show off their latest artistic expressions to extended family members and family friends who live at a distance," said Ronnie Bell-Sandler, Visual Arts Teacher for Holladay.

Holladay students also have been recognized at the state level. Amber Velez earned second place and Sean Thomson earned honorable mention for their entries into the recent Arizona Fish and Wildlife's Junior Duck Stamp competition. Entries were judged on the basis of design, anatomical accuracy, artistic composition, and suitability for reproduction on a 1" by 1 ½" stamp. Holladay was the only school in southern Arizona to receive recognition.

Additionally, Holladay students created a photographic essay about the Sonoran desert as told through colorful flags strung on a banner for the Global Art Project - for Peace. The art is displayed locally in each participant's community. Global Art Project then organizes an international exchange by matching participants. Holladay's banner will be exchanged for another art project created by students in Singapore.

"It has been very exciting for me this year to work within the Holladay family. The students bring such natural energy and talent into the art room and are so open to exploring new ways to develop that talent. The parents and extended families are always at hand to support the young artists (and their teachers) and the outcome is flourishing youngsters," said Bell-Sandler.

Art assignments at Holladay consist of some training in art techniques and skill building; some interpretation of art concepts and translation of these concepts into art; and some connection to math, social studies or communication concepts. All of which are designed to create bridges or make connections for our students between the different school disciplines; how to apply this to the outside world; and how to use art concepts to help process new information, communicate to others and to expand visual literacy.

Bell-Sandler, who is in her first year teaching at the school, enjoys the atmosphere. "Holladay Intermediate Fine Arts Magnet School is the best kept secret in TUSD.... OOPS! I guess the secret's out."