A single welder leans over his workplace, sparks flying in brilliant flashes of golden light. Junior Tanner Wilson sets up his camera, sets it for 15 seconds and snaps a state-worthy picture.

Students competed in VASE, a Visual Art Scholastic Event, Feb. 24 and earned 18 medals overall. Wilson will continue to the state competition with his photograph.

“Looking at everyone’s artwork in VASE, I thought it was all so much better than mine,” Wilson said. “We have some talented people who went into the VASE competition. Knowing that I’m not in an art class, I felt like I’m the one person who shouldn’t be going to state, but I am pretty excited.”

VASE is a school-based art competition in which participants create up to two original artworks. The pieces are then presented to a panel of judges who will interview the creator and based on originality, technical expertise, and interpretation, rate the art on a numerical scale.

“It’s mainly just to show the student artwork and get them to start developing their own artistic style and portfolio,” art teacher Valeria Mayoral said. “I want to push the kids to things outside of my class. I want them to be able to go out, show their artwork, and get feedback from other people. VASE helps with that.”

Wilson said that Instagram introduced him to different types of photography.

“When you’re following someone who likes photography you can see how cool they can make a picture,” Wilson said. “I really wanted to be in that group of being creative. Photography not only is a relaxing, calming thing for me but also it’s a way to express my creativity on a plane that’s a lot easier than drawing or painting.”

Wilson used long exposure, keeping the shutters on a camera open for a long period, to create unique visual effects.

“I got some really cool lights in the picture,” Wilson said. “It’s just a long exposure of a welder, it’s not only is it depicting the isolation of the welder, but it’s also picturing all the light which is created by the welder.”

Wilson said he expects to enjoy going to state with his art.

“I enjoy people looking at my photos,” Wilson said. “Making a photo that is produced well enough to go to state is pretty inspiring. I’m looking forward to going to state and seeing what people on the next level think of my art.”