By Maya McGregor
Staff Writer
Paintings that come to life and photos that capture moments lined the walls of the Neptunian Woman’s Club as a part of its annual art contest.
The Neptunian Woman’s Club of Manhattan Beach held its 36th-annual Art Contest on March 9, in which Costa students of all grade levels had a chance to submit artwork that expressed themselves to the community. Out of 140 submissions, 21 different students placed in the contest. Their artwork was later displayed at the Neptunian Woman’s gallery.
“It was really fun to enter and see the work of other winning student artists,” senior Nicole White said. “I’m really excited that I won an award.”
The contest is divided into four different categories based on grade level. The winners of the junior/senior photo section were Brian Anschel, Jess Arruda, Laura Beasley, Colette Grubman and Nicole White.
Photo freshmen/sophomore awards were given to Kevin Glasser, Krista Grundeken, Taylor Stout, Camila Undurraga, and Spencer White.
Art junior/senior winners were Brittney Green, Lauren Johnson, Claire Keifer and Henry White. The winners of art freshmen/sophomore were Julia DiFiori, Eric Furth, Madeleine Huggins, Michelle Lu, Matt Padilla, Halley Wong and Camila Undurraga.
“It was the Neptunian Art Contest that inspired me to continue taking photos,” White said. “I have loved being part of the event for all these years; it is always great to see local students’ art being recognized.”
The Neptunian Woman’s Club of Manhattan Beach was originally founded in 1909 and currently has 251 members. In 1978, Elizabeth Dorsey organized the first “Art Tea,” which has since then evolved into the Neptunian Art Contest. Dorsey’s main goal was to give every student in Manhattan Beach recognition for his or her artistic talents.
“The Neptunians want to support art in the home and schools and consider it their privilege to offer this event to the community,” Neptunian Art Contest Chairman Mary Essman said.
Beasley submitted a photo of a lake in Yosemite and a photo of Twin Peaks in San Francisco for her submission. Even though this was Beasley’s first time entering a photo contest, she has been taking photos for many years.
“I’ve been interested in photography for a while, so I thought it would be a good start to submit my photos to a hometown contest,” Beasley said.
Stout has been fascinated with photography throughout her whole life. Entering this contest for the third year in a row, Stout submitted a photo of her friend at the beach during the sunset. She is currently taking the Photo 1-2 class at Costa and wishes to pursue a career in photography.
“I submitted my photos to have the chance to share them with members of the community,” Stout said. “I think the Neptunian Art Contest is a great way to get other people to see your art.”
Grundeken submitted photos influenced by her hobbies and the different pairs of shoes she wears, which include ballet, track and everyday shoes.
“I always take pictures and then see how they turn out,” Grundeken said. “When I found out about the art contest, I thought it would be a good way to show some of my photos.”
Wong has had a passion for art since she began classes at Alyce’s Art Studio in Manhattan Beach three years ago, which led her to submit her piece and ultimately win in the art freshman/sophomore category. This is her third time participating in the Neptunian Art Contest. For this year’s competition, Wong submitted a self-portrait.
“When I create something I am proud of, it’s fun to enter it into a contest to show other people what I made and to see how it places against other great art pieces,” Wong said.
According to White, there was a lot of talent entered in the creative art competition, and the turnout was successful.
“Every year, students bring better art to the table; expression without words, yet it says everything,” White said.
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