Congratulations to Jersey Shore Area High School Student, Sara Pecchia, for being chosen as the PAEA Student Artist of the Month for November 2021!!

Don’t let the name fool you! Jersey Shore Area High School is located in Jersey Shore, PA which is actually in North Central PA!

Sara was nominated by her teacher and PAEA member, Sarah Keim.

Here is what Ms. Keim has to say about Sara:

“I have known Sara since she was a freshman and over the last four years, she has continued to awe and inspire not only other art students but myself as well. There hasn’t been an assignment that she hasn’t taken above and beyond the basic expectations. She’s creative, she’s innovative and she always has an excitement about her art even in her most frustrating moments. And if I’m being completely honest, there isn’t a medium that she hasn’t mastered (even if there are mediums that she “absolutely despises”). The girl has even painted herself! and no, not a portrait – she used herself as a canvas! Talk about dedication to your art! She has won awards for her art at local fairs; she’s an active member of the National Art Honor Society, and works as an independent art student creating original pieces in a variety of mediums, some of which are on view in our school’s art display. And while I see Sara as an artist at her core, she excels academically and athletically as well, pouring forth the same dedication and diligence into it as she does her art.”

Here is what Sara has to say:

Who has been your biggest influence and why?

One person who has influenced me not only in the art world but on the way I view the world, in general, is an Artist named Katie Small. She is an artist in her twenties who creates videos about her paintings. In her videos, she walks through her painting process, explains that most of the time things are not perfect and do not always need to be. She created beautiful works of acrylic art painting, that seem effortless. Watching her paint and seeing the final product inspires me to enjoy what I create, and to not take things too seriously. Not only does she influence me in how I do my art, but she inspires me to stay positive in negative situations. In her videos, she will carelessly make a mark on a canvas and explain that it does not matter if the mark has happened, but more so what you chose to do with that mark.

Why is art class/art education important?

Art class is important to me because allows me to use the creative side of my brain, giving it a breakthrough the school day. I also feel that it is a great outlet for kids to express themselves and let go. School can be stressful, and hard to deal with, but knowing that I have an art class during the day where I can let go, and get lost in a work of art helps me to calm down. Without art education, I feel certain kids would be stuck trying to find another way to express themselves.

What advice would you give to other artists?

The advice I would give to other artists is not to care about what others say about what you do. If you create something that makes you happy, and you feel you have done the best of your ability; then there is no reason to listen to what others have to say. Though sometimes those critical critiques are what make your artwork that much better.