Farmington Public Schools teacher earns state-wide art award
Gabby Marderosian’s winning entry.
Farmington Public Schools educator Gabby Marderosian was awarded the “Best In Show” top prize in the 61st Michigan Education Association-Michigan Art Education Association Art Acquisitions Purchase Awards, which were announced Tuesday.
More than 70 pieces were selected from this year’s approximately 170 entries.
A reception to honor this year’s entries will be held June 9 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at MEA headquarters, 1216 Kendale Blvd. in East Lansing. The public is welcome to attend.
The annual event welcomes original artwork submissions, including paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics, jewelry, metal work, enamels, mosaics, wood, fibers, stained glass, photographs, experimental media and sculptures crafted by MEA members.
Entries came from throughout Michigan
The MEA-MAEA art exhibition features work from dozens of MEA members from every corner of Michigan.
The MEA Art Acquisitions Committee, a voluntary group of MEA members, works with a professional juror to organize the annual exhibition.
Out of this collection, the committee chooses pieces for MEA to purchase and display in MEA offices across the state to promote and celebrate the creative talents of our members. This year’s winning entries can be viewed by clicking here.
Marderosian’s acrylic painting, “Strike in Nashville,” depicts a fun outing to the bowling alley with friends and family in the moment of her sister rolling a strike.
“I was playing a lot with color and lighting and the contrast in warm versus cool colors,” she explained. “There was a teal neon sign that lit the bowling alley in an interesting way with the reds of the lanes.
‘Dramatic storytelling’
“Normally lighting is more on the warm side and shadows are cool, so it was interesting that the neon light was cool and the shadows were on the warmer side.”
Juror Mirvia Sol Eckert, a Puerto Rican painter and artist in Indianapolis, said she chose “Strike in Nashville” because of its composition, contrast in colors, and dramatic storytelling.
“The technique and skill employed in this piece drew me in, encouraging me to return for a closer examination,” she said. “The narrative behind the artwork intrigued me, making it a standout entry among many of the submissions.”
“I would like to personally congratulate these outstanding educators for their amazing and inspiring artwork and look forward to showcasing their many talents at our June 9 reception,” said MEA President and CEO Chandra Madafferi.
“Our annual exhibit highlights the many diverse talents of our members and celebrates their continued commitment to our students and the education profession.”
