ON OCTOBER 22, 10 Art Olympians from Granger competed at the Art Olympics, where high school students from throughout the Granite School District showcased their talent. This competition brought together student artists, each eager to share their visions and passion for the visual arts. The competition was held at Taylorsville High School, and students had four hours to create and complete their artwork.

Yoselyn Zavala (11) serves as president of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) and competed in the Working from Life category, using paint as her medium. For her entry, she painted a self-portrait. “I started going to the National Art Honor Society my first year and decided to continue going to meetings. I joined because I was interested in the Art Olympics and was recommended to join, and I ended up really liking it and the community of people,” Zavala said.

She says that art brings her joy. “I love the state I’m in when doing art and the sense of peace I get. I also love being able to focus on doing art and taking my mind off things,” she said. “It’s fun and makes me feel calm. I think everyone should find a passion of sorts that takes their mind off things.”

Zavala says that she enjoyed her experience at the Art Olympics. “I really loved being a part of the Art Olympics and learning from talented artists,” she said. “We learn new things every day. We saw what others were doing, and it was very inspiring to be surrounded by a community of very talented artists,” she said.

Another student, Yuritzi Linares (12), also competed in the Working from Life category, using charcoal as her medium. “Since my first year, I wanted to continue doing art. I learned by myself and started doing it at home, but I wanted to join a community of artists,” she said.

Linares was drawn to the Art Olympics. “I wanted to do art with others, so I joined the National Art Honor Society for figure drawing. Based on my work, I was invited to participate in the Art Olympics and ended up doing it, and it was a lot of fun,” she said.

Linares says that she enjoys creating art. “The outcome is my favorite part of art,” she said. “Making things is the best, although it can be difficult and stressful at times,” she said.

Kathryn McCrea (11) says her friends inspired her to try ceramics. “I had friends in ceramics who had entertaining pieces that they had shown me, and I thought I might be good at it. My favorite part is the process of doing art and the satisfaction you get after you finish,” she said.

Granger artists distinguished themselves at the Art Olympics, earning top honors across several categories. Kathryn McCrea achieved first place in Sculpture, while Alliyah Huerta-Ortiz secured first place in Digital Illustration. Johnny Lopez Perez received second place in Working from Life, and Oscar Campos Samayoa was awarded second place in Color Drawing.