Last spring, West Fork High School (WFHS) student Payton Hapgood earned the Gold Seal Award at the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) Visual Art Scholastic Event (VASE), held in Gruene, Texas. The state VASE recognizes students from across Texas for their exceptional achievements in the visual arts. Last year, the state VASE competition garnered over 35,000 entries, with less than 200 receiving the highest honor, the Gold Seal Award. Recipients of the Gold Seal Award earn a gold state medallion and the opportunity for their art to be showcased at multiple venues, including the Glassell School of Art, located in the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Payton is the first student in NCISD history to earn the Gold Seal Award.
“Being the first person to win the Gold Seal Award in New Caney ISD means so much to me,” Payton said. “Winning [the Gold Seal Award] was such an accomplishment, but being the first in the district is such an honor.”
Payton’s piece, “A View of the Ocean,” depicts a scene from the ocean floor with various types of marine life. Made of epoxy resin, foam clay, and paper mache, the sculpture stands three feet tall and took over six months to complete.
"A View of the Ocean" by Payton Hapgood
It’s no surprise that the art classes are Payton’s favorite part of attending WFHS. According to Payton, her art and ceramics classes have expanded her knowledge and provided her with time and space to work on her sculpture. Although Payton has been painting since she was a young child, she credits much of her success to her WFHS art classes, and her teacher, Ms. Wyatt.
“My biggest supporter is my teacher, Ms. Wyatt. I don’t think I could achieve the art that I do without her advice and positive feedback. I know now that [in the future] I want to follow in her footsteps and teach art.”