BANNING, CA – Banning High School incoming sophomore and first-year art student Trinity Scholer is one of 18 high school students honored in the Riverside County Office of Education’s second annual Fine Arts Spectacular Showcase, where her original artwork is on display as part of a virtual exhibit centered on the theme “What Matters.”

Scholer was one of two students honored with the Expressive Use of Color Award at the showcase in May, for her creation titled “Art of Her.” The art piece was inspired by Black History Month and features more than 72 vivid colors blended to emphasize the beauty of African-American women and celebrate their vast cultures and contributions.

“Thank you to my brilliant art teacher, Jerry Bailey, for his amazing lessons, believing in me, always having such patience with my process and submitting my piece to the Arts Spectacular Showcase,” Scholer said. “Thank you to my peers and to my family for the constant support and to my mother, who is also an artist and has inspired me to create since I was a little girl.”

Nearly 200 middle and high school art students submitted their original work for consideration. A panel of practicing artists and educators chose the winners based on their abilities to visually communicate what matters to them – locally, globally, personally, societally, socially or politically – through ink illustrations, photographs and creative mixed media compositions.

“It is such an honor that I was chosen for such an incredible award in my first year of studying art and it was especially meaningful to me that It was for a theme that I find so important,” Scholer said. “Every single color I used helped me express the way I see black culture and black women…beautiful, honest and powerful.”

Scholer said she plans to continue exploring her skills throughout her years as a Banning Bronco and keep art incorporated in her future endeavors.

“Thank you to our amazing art instructor Jerry Bailey for helping our students explore their passions and talents each day and a huge congratulations to Trinity for this remarkable achievement,” Superintendent Terrence Davis said. “At Banning Unified, we are dedicated to supporting our fine arts programs and ensuring our students are being challenged, developing creative expression and confidently connecting with people inside and out of the classroom and engaging with the world around them.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

BAUSD_ARTSPECTACULAR: Banning High School art student Trinity Scholer and Banning High School art teacher Jerry Bailey celebrate Scholer’s winning art piece at the Fine Arts Spectacular professional exhibition and awards ceremony at the Walter N. Marks Center for the Arts on the campus of College of the Desert on May 12. The Fine Arts Spectacular exhibit was displayed in person from May 13 to 19.

BAUSD_ARTSPECTACULAR2: Banning High School art student and Riverside County Second Annual Fine Arts Spectacular Showcase honoree Trinity Scholer showcases her winning art selection, “Art of Her,” during the Fine Arts Spectacular professional exhibition and awards ceremony on May 12.