Mar. 21, 2018 -- Two Heights High art students received awards in the eXpressions Art event. Sophomore Cas Hoffman (L) received a second place Red Ribbon for his sculpture and junior Sylvie Crowell (R) received an Honorable Mention award for her multi media painting.
The eXpressions program is a project of the Cleveland Clinic for middle and high school students. The participants are invited to translate research conducted by Cleveland Clinic high school interns into artistic, literary and mathematical interpretations of the science.
Cas created a sculpture that was inspired by high school intern Maryum Ali’s research Hormonal Therapy Persistence in Hormone Positive Breast Cancer Patients in a Community Cancer Center. The sculpture is a human torso with flowers and greenery integrated in the form. The piece is titled Persist or Surrender.
“My grandmother had breast cancer and she and my aunt both have the BRCA gene mutation that can increase risk for breast cancer,” said Cas.
“I chose this research to honor my grandmother and because I am very interested in showing the the human form in art.”
Sylvie selected the research Lead Screening in Cleveland Clinic's School-Based Health Care: A Clinical Workflow, by the high school summer intern, Kayla Siladi. The oil painting, Leadtown, depicts a fierce red dragon wrapped around a series of homes with children looking out the windows.
“I was drawn to the research because when I was a toddler, I was exposed to lead in sidewalk chalk. Thankfully, I have recovered. I wanted to emphasize the hidden threat of lead poisoning, especially to children,” she said.
Laura Skehan is the art teacher for both students.
An panel of art and science professionals used four criteria to evaluate each art submission: interpretation, presentation, creativity, and initiative.
The judges awarded four levels of recognition for submissions. In descending order they are: Blue Ribbon, Red Ribbon, White Ribbon, and Honorable Mention. The judges also identified one piece as Best in Show.
Each Blue Ribbon winner will receive a $100 gift card. Red Ribbon winners will receive $75; White Ribbon winners, $50; and Honorable Mention winners, $25. Teachers who have at least one award-winning student will also receive a $100 educational grant.
This year 1,904 students and 105 teachers from 61 Ohio schools submitted 1,784 projects to Cleveland Clinic. The panel of content experts granted 116 awards - 75 in Art, 36 in
Language, and 5 in Math.