Since 1989, Carbondale Community High School has sanctioned a School Board Purchase Award. It began with the purchase of a drawing by Erika Atwood.

Graduating seniors are eligible to enter an artwork at the end of the year. The selected artist will receive $200.00, and the work will be framed or prepared for display in the school by the board of education. Work chosen will become a part of the permanent collection at Carbondale Community High School.

There are a few requirements that must be met in order to participate. Students should enter artwork that has been created during their years in high school. Drawings, paintings, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, digital work, and photography are all accepted as long as work is original. Participants are also required to fill out a few short questions about the artwork entered.

In the past, artworks have been displayed through the hallways of Carbondale Community High School. In the future, the collection might be displayed in the media center instead or alongside the rest of the school. Ms. Taylor, who has overseen the revamping of the media center in recent years, wants to have a place suited for the works and thinks that the library would be a fitting place.

As the media center becomes more of an aspect of the lives of high schoolers at Carbondale Community High School the more important it will become to enter into the School Board Purchase award. Not only is it a good way to showcase your talent, but it is a way to give a part of yourself back to the school.

Jen Kennedy, one of the two teachers who heads the Purchase Award along with Levi Biedermann, recognizes the opportunity of the event.

“This is a way for students to be acknowledged, so self practicing artists and students who take art classes here at Carbondale should put in the effort for themselves. There is no reason to not submit something you are proud of because it could live on through Carbondale Community High School.”

The event has just opened and is accepting work. All pieces should be brought physically to Ms. Kennedy in room A101 by the due date of April 8th by 3:00 p.m. Applications can be picked up here as well. No late work will be accepted.