Artist in You Shares Student Creativity in Ferndale
(Crystal A. Proxmire, May 23, 2019)
Ferndale, MI – Ferndale High School senior Emmet Zabor spends two hours each afternoon perfecting his art at the Center for Advanced Studies and Arts in Oak Park, plus time after school.
The dedication paid off as his illustration of a snail won first place in the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce Artist in You Competition.  For the past five years the event has been a collaborative effort between the Chamber and the Library to help showcase student work.  The top three winners received gift baskets from White Castle, and Zabor also earned a cash prize.
Zabor said his favorite thing about making art is seeing the reactions that others have. “I like hearing what other people say about it,” he said.  “I like getting feedback so I can keep getting better.  My standards keep changing. What I thought was good in elementary school is not the same as what is good now.  I like seeing myself get better.  I try to stay humble, but I got first place so I must be doing something right,” he said.
Ferndale Councilperson Melanie Piana spoke at the event, congratulating students on their work.  “It’s so important to honor the creativity of our youth,” she said.  “You’re going to be the leaders of our community moving forward, and how you express yourself is really important for us to see.”
Former art teacher Jerry Lemenu continues to help with the event even though he retired last year.  “Art is something you make that makes yourself vulnerable,” he said.  “To be vulnerable and well-received makes it easier the next time.”
He also said that “each work looks more like itself surrounded by all the others.”
Second place went to Jamanda Taylor who submitted a portrait of young man.  “You’ll learn, that eye for detail is a gift that’s going to help you in many ways in life,” Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce Chairperson Dale Vigliarolo told the artist.  “Keep going to school and getting better.”
Artwork included sketches, collages, and paintings that will be on display through June 15.  “This is a community space, and one of the special things about this space is all that happens here,” said Linden Godlove who used to work for both the Chamber and the Library, and continues to serve as an organizer for the Artist in You event.  “There is yoga, concerts for First Stop Fridays, and children’s story time. This art is engaging people of all ages.”
“We’re here to support the community,” Vigliarolo said. “And art is an important part of that.”
More information:
Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce
Ferndale Area District Library
Previous stories:
Artist in You 2018 2016
CASA 35 Year Anniversary