Clovis East students create award-winning art

“Captain America,” a pencil sketch by Clovis East sophomore Mia Galvan, and “Taylor Swift,” made of 8,000 pushpins by Clovis East junior Mallory Adams, tied for Allard’s Art contest’s People’s Choice award.

Galvan and Adams created their works under the direction of art teacher Danny Vasquez.

Allard’s invited about 40 students to show their entries for the 2015 Big Fresno Fair Junior Exhibit — where Galvan’s “Captain America” also won the People’s Choice — in the art supply store, said manager Sheryl Johns.

The store advertised the contest to customers in-store, via email and on Facebook. When the votes were tallied, Adams and Galvan had tied, Johns said. They were awarded $50 in Allard’s Bucks.

Galvan said she typically doesn’t draw with pencils, but decided to draw Captain America as a symbol of strength and perseverance after undergoing surgery on her knee. When she heard she won, she was “so surprised and excited. There were a lot of great art pieces on display.”

Adams’ “Taylor Swift” was created entirely with pushpins. It took about five months for Adams to incorporate 8,000 pins — in just six colors — to create the pop singer’s likeness.

“When I found out I won I was surprised and happy to know that people enjoyed my art the most out of the 50 or so pieces that were there,” she said. “The best part was when I was picking it up and hearing wonderful comments from the staff as well as customers.”

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 8:48 AM with the headline "Clovis East students create award-winning art."