Exchange Year:
An Artistic Discovery
Risqika Edni Doni Achsan - Indonesia
YES (Youth Exchange and Study) Program – AFS
Chilton, WI
“All art is autobiographical.
The pearl is the oyster's autobiography.”
- Federico Fellini
This is my first artwork in United States! I
made a painting about an Indonesian Traditional Festival native to my island,
Java. It's one of my way to introduce my beloved home country, Indonesia, to
people around me. In the picture my artwork is exhibited for the Olympian Art
Conference in Rahr West Museum, Manitowoc, WI. There my artwork represents my
school, Chilton High. By the way, the white sweatshirt I wear is my school’s
Senior Class Sweatshirt, and I designed that.
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Art is my passion. Although I always take it
as a hobby, still I always believe that I have to do my best in my artworks. I
did drawing and painting from kindergarten, but being a high school student in
Indonesia I didn’t have time anymore. When I got to United States, my host
mother gave me a list of classes that I could take. Then, I read the
description for Graphics and Design. Somehow, it brought back memories when I
was still doing a lot of artworks. Without any hesitation, I took that class.
My art teacher here, Mrs. Jane Schmitz, is a
really supportive person. She introduced me different styles of art concept
that enriched my knowledge. In the other hand, I showed her and my classmates
about my art style, drawing and painting using oil pastel. I had a great time
being in that class!
One day, I read an art contest poster. I used
to do a lot of art contests in Indonesia, from regional level to provincial
(the same as state here). Mrs. Schmitz really encouraged me to do it! She knew
that it was a good idea and really worth a try. Besides, I manage cross-country
in summer – and at that point the season was over and I didn’t do any sport
anymore. By doing the contests at least I had something to do to spend in my
spare time. I sent my first ever art contest submission for Wisconsin School
Art Board, a state level contest. I drew a picture depicting how I use
technology to shape the world. It took me almost three days to finish it!
Unfortunately I didn’t win for that one. I
thought that was okay. Winning state level here is really hard, and I know
there are tons of great artists living in Wisconsin. The committees only
announced the 1st winner, so there would never be any positions for
the runners up. I always thought that I was one of those runner-ups. It made me
believe that failure didn’t make somebody a loser. Instead, it gave a reason
for a person to be the winner in the future. My teacher then gave some other
art contest opportunities. I made a drawing for Department of Transportation
Aviation Art Contest. The theme of it was “Silent Flight”. It took me almost 4
days to finish this artwork. Before I sent the artwork, I was so nervous that I
will be disqualified. There was a segment in the entry form about nationality.
I’m an exchange student; I’m definitely NOT an American. I was so worried about
that, but yet my host families and teacher still encouraged me to send that
artwork.
Later on, I got a letter from Department of
Transportation. I was thinking maybe it was only a notification letter stating
that they had already received my submission. I opened it and I was so
surprised; I GOT THE FIRST PLACE! Out of hundreds of art works the committee
chose me to represent Wisconsin in the national level! I was so happy and
almost cried at that time. I never thought that an exchange student like would
never win those kind of things. My artwork was forwarded to D.C., and although
I didn’t make it, I’m still so grateful that I could make my parents and school
proud of me. I got the certificate and a chance to fly for a discovery plane
around Wisconsin for being the 1st winner. The other best thing is
my artwork will be hanged in Wisconsin Capitol in Madison, WI, in June!
As the 1st winner of Aviation Art
Contest I got the chance to ride an airplane, literally. I became a co-pilot
(of course under supervision by expert), helping the main pilot to fly the
airplane. It was kind of scary in the beginning, but later on it was
enjoyable! I would never have this great experience if I didn't submit my
artwork!
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My teacher told me that National Wild Turkey
Federation (NWTF) Wisconsin Chapter would hold an art competition. I was
interested and eventually submitted my artwork to them. Several weeks later the
notification letter arrived at my house. I opened it and I was so surprised
that I got the 1st place again! In the letter there were a
certificate, a placement ribbon, and a check. I was also so surprised that my
artwork was forwarded to Nashville, TN for national level.
Several weeks after that, I didn’t get any
notification about the national competition. I was sure that I didn’t make it.
I felt so easy about that; winning state was always more than enough for me.
Yet I felt a little bit curious who won the competition. I tried to access
National Wild Turkey Federation Website to find the information. I read the
article and started to scream. I GOT THE 1ST PLACE AT NATIONALS! My
name was there with some students from all over the country. I felt so happy
and grateful of my achievement. A week later they sent me a magazine and my
artwork was published there! Now, the painting is exhibited in South Carolina
for the entire year in NWTF Headquarter.
My artwork was published in NWTF Magazine
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I think the sweetest moment of my “art
adventure” was The Packer one. I made a drawing of Aaron Rodgers, the
quarterback from The Green Bay Packers. It was for The Green Bay Packers Annual
Art Contest: Pick Your Packer. All of the entrants’ artworks were exhibited in
Lambeau Field Hall of Fame. I was at D.C. attending a conference for exchange
students when my friends posted in my Facebook wall. My artwork was on TV! The
news was about the exhibition, with the camera focusing on my art work for
several seconds. When I got back to school my art teacher told me the same
thing. It was kind of funny! Then I was notified that I didn’t win the contest.
I felt so normal because there were tons of artists who did the contests – and
the committee only chose one winner per age category. One day, my host mother
received a call from a lady from Green Bay Packers. She said that there was a
person who wanted to buy my artwork! I was so surprised that somebody noticed
my artwork and decided to buy it. The person, who turned out to be a huge
Packer fan, called me to discuss about the price. In 10 minutes the artwork was
sold. In disbelief, I just never imagined that my artwork would go that far.
My artwork titled "Learning Football
with Mr. Rodgers".
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By the way, in the past month I did
several artworks for some contests. I submitted my artworks for CSIET Cover
Design Art Contest last week, Crayola National Art Contest, Negative Population
Growth Art Poster Contest and Congressional Art Competition. I didn’t win for
the Congressional Art Contest, but I was so happy to receive a certificate of
congressional recognition for my artwork, signed by my district’s congressman,
Tom Petri. For the other ones I just need to wait until the announcement came
through mail or Email.
I am so grateful that I can grab those
opportunities and gain a lot of achievements from my efforts. I am so glad that
my family and school here really support me in doing those art contests. My big
gratitude is for U.S. Department of State, which gives me this YES (Youth
Exchange and Study) scholarship so I can be here now. Also for AFS, who placed
me here in Chilton, Wisconsin. I have so much love and support from people
around me, which I think is the main factor why I could gain so much.
“Creativity means problem solving. With good
critical thinking and communication, people of the world can collaborate to
overcome problems, here symbolized as a big world puzzle. Helping each other,
they finally can put the last piece to complete. Peace and harmony are
something priceless we should protect."
- Risqika Edni Doni Achsan
2 comments
lukisannya keren :D
ReplyDeleteanyway,nice posts :)
Thank you! Anak AFS nih? :)
ReplyDeleteleave your reply here