Ms. Thomson, Farris High School’s art teacher, entered the
classroom holding a flyer in her hand and pinned it promptly on the bulletin
board. All of the students crowded
around it to get a closer look. The flyer read, “Art Contest: 1st, 2nd,
and 3rd place winners have the opportunity to auction their art.”
The students shrieked and squealed about the money, and discussed their
elaborate ideas of what they would make for the contest. With excited minds,
the artists rushed back to their seats to begin sketching out their ideas. One
of Ms. Thomson’s best students, Samantha, did not see the flyer, for she was
too involved in the painting she was working on. She sat alone in the corner of
the classroom with her headphones on and a brush in her hand as she zoned out to
enjoy her favorite pastime.
It was the
day before the contest and all of the students lugged in their extravagant
pieces of art into the classroom. Samantha asked Ms. Thomson what the occasion
was, and the teacher explained that there was a contest tomorrow. She
encouraged Samantha to enter the painting she had been working on. Samantha was
unsure since her art was so small compared to the other contestant’s, but she
agreed to enter for the experience.
The day of
the contest had arrived. The students stood proudly next to their ostentatious
art as their friends took pictures to post on Instagram and Snapchat. Samantha
however set up her painting and snapped a picture to add to her portfolio. The
judges came around and began to score the art, preparing to choose the top
three artists. Samantha looked around at all of the other art, doubting
herself. There were sculptures that nearly touched the ceiling, paintings on
canvases as long as a wall, and even kinetic instillations. When the judges
came around to her, they silently admired the flawless painting she displayed.
It was time to announce the winners. They called out the winners, “Angelica
Fischer, first place, with her 10 foot skyscraper painting. Celeste Rodela,
second place, with her life size matador ceramic sculpture.” Samantha hung her
head low, assuming she didn’t receive a prize. “The third place winner,
Samantha Simons, with her 6x10 inch oil painting.” Samantha was awestricken
that such a small painting was capable of placing at all. The other winners
whispered behind her back, mocking her small painting.
The winning
pieces were moved to the main stage and everyone gathered around for the
auction. It was time for Angelica’s 10 foot painting to be auctioned. “The
bidding will start at $150.” The crowd was silent. No one could imagine where
they would place such a large painting in their house. The auction moved on to
Celeste’s life size matador sculpture. “The bidding will start at $200.” Again,
the crowd was silent. No one wanted such a sculpture in their home. Finally, it
was time for Samantha’s painting to be auctioned. “The bidding will start at
$50.” The crowd whispered with excitement. Hands began to rise and so did the
price. The final bidder was chosen. “Sold. To William Grant for six-hundred and
fifty dollars.” Samantha was speechless. She had not entered the contest for
the money unlike the other contestants. She simply entered because she loved to
paint. Her passion for art was rewarded as the handed her painting over to
William in exchange for the check.
