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Amidst the more than 80 pieces of artwork selected for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Art and Design’s Annual Regional Juried High School Exhibition, was a sculpture made from the pages of a Webster Dictionary. 

Kiara Williams, SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) senior, is the creator of “Still Relevant.” The piece, a tree standing in the middle of an opened dictionary, was on display last month in the Art and Design West Gallery. 

Williams, a student in CHS art teacher Hope Jordan’s class, said the tree epitomizes life and the dictionary represents knowledge. “My piece inspires the observer to find a deeper meaning of life,” she said. 

The artwork was not the result of an assignment, but Williams’ desire to create, according to Jordan. “Kiara came in as much as she could in between normal class time to work on her sculpture,” noted Jordan. 

“I have loved art since I was a young child,” said Williams. “I was surprised that my work was selected, but was extremely pleased.” 

The SIUE Charter High School is a school-of-choice for families in the East St. Louis School District 189. The mission of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School is to prepare students who are career- and college-ready upon graduation. To achieve this mission, the school and its staff will positively impact the educational and economic lives of East St. Louis, Illinois youth through individualized instruction in core academic subjects, exploration of career interests and aptitudes, assistance in realizing students’ talents, high academic goals, and expectations that graduates will become competitive employees for the 21st century. 

Photo:
Kiara Williams, CHS student, created the sculpture “Still Relevant.”