Three students—sixth-grader Cadence Bartholomew, fifth-grader Henry Nielsen and second-grader Jack Tracy—each took first place in their grade levels during the first round of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary National Illustrating America art contest. They will represent Summit Academy in the state-level contest, with winners to be announced this summer.

Summit Academy sixth-grader Cadence Bartholomew won $100 in the first round of the VFW Auxiliary national art contest. (Missy Brunisholz/Summit Academy)

“This is a neat opportunity for our students to be able to participate in a national art competition,” said Summit Academy art teacher Missy Brunisholz who is developing the school’s art program. “The students have been so excited and through entering it, they’re exploring the theme of patriotism and what it is and what it looks like.”

Students submitted artwork from 9/11 and Iwo Jima to Martin Luther King Jr. and the moon landing.

“We had a lot of red, white and blue, veterans, landscapes, voting and eagles. It was just impressive to see where each of their minds went when you give them kind of free rein with the theme,” she said.

This contest was one of many experiences first-year teacher Brunisholz brought to kindergarten through eighth-grade students at Summit. In late April, the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art’s art truck visited campus.

“I tell every group what contemporary means and about our collection as we’ve existed since 1931,” said UMOCA Educational Coordinator Nakita Shelley. “My goal is teaching and expanding their views on contemporary art.”

She introduced the work of local artist Jean Richardson, who creates 3D art from recycled materials such as sticky notes, straw wrappers, envelopes and shredded paper.

Utah Museum of Contemporary Art’s Educational Coordinator Nakita Shelley explains use of recycled materials to Summit Academy students during a recent art truck visitation. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

“She manipulates her mediums to create something new. I’m wanting to open their eyes to what art can be, how it can be fun,” Shelley said.

UMOCA also joined the school’s STEAM night. 

“Our STEAM night also tied into careers so they explored art careers,” Brunisholz said. “Art is a staple for everyone, whether it's a hobby or a profession. It's fun to learn how artists create their art, distribute it or have their art on display.”

Her goal this year was exposing students to diverse art forms and opportunities. Her theme: “Art is Everywhere.” 

“It's in the way we walk, it's the way we interact, it's what we wear. It's what makes life vibrant and energetic. It's how we can express ourselves,” Brunisholz said.

Supported by the Beverley Taylor Sorenson art program, she teaches weekly 30-minute art sessions, often tying in cross-curricular lessons. For instance, when teaching about Bob Ross, she dressed up as the artist and led themed lessons across grade levels. 

Henry Nielsen, a Summit Academy fifth grader, will advance to the state round of the VFW Auxiliary national art contest. (Missy Brunisholz/Summit Academy)

“The students were laughing the entire time, but they had a better understanding of this man who said anyone could paint. That's one of the biggest struggles I have as an art teacher, is hearing, ‘I can't do this.’ They need to celebrate learning and not perfectionism. We take the approach, ‘let's just try something out, and see how this works and if it doesn't work, that's also a win,” she said.

During “Bob Ross Day,” most students used a palette knife and painted on canvas for the first time.

“It was fun for them to try something different and new. For half of them, it was their first canvas they've ever done,” Brunisholz said.

Students studied artists such as Frida Kahlo (watercolor), Pablo Picasso (oil pastels), Vincent van Gogh (mixed media), and even tried sewing and sculpting. They explored the physics of Jackson Pollock’s splatter art, connecting it with science lessons on pulleys and marbles.

While learning about Michelangelo, students made clay gnomes after handling a marble slab. “They were just blown away he made tendons and veins in this hard marble,” she said.

A favorite recurring activity involves drawing or painting Brunisholz’s miniature Schnauzer.

“They’re using the techniques with their ideas, so it’s challenging yet fun,” she said.

Second-grader Jack Tracy was one of three grade-level winners at Summit Academy who won in the first round of the VFW Auxiliary national art contest. (Missy Brunisholz/Summit Academy)

“I encourage them with compliments on their work as well as suggest ways to improve so they’re doing their best. Many, when they’re done, they say, ‘this is going to be framed.’”

Brunisholz also partnered with other teachers, including Natalie Sluga’s photography class, to enhance projects, including middle schoolers’ 3D masks. 

“They had fun dressing up for a photo shoot and doing whatever the photographer said to capture the feeling of the mask,” she said.

Summit students also participated in monthly art shows at the Draper Library. 

“Many of the kids went over to see their work on display; they know their value and what they do matters,” Brunisholz said. “This coming year, I would love to have some community artists share their work. I feel we’ve gotten a good basic brush stroke of art throughout this year; now, I want to keep growing this program next year.”