Six senior representatives from District 214 high schools gathered Saturday, April 26, for the Annual D214 Art Exhibition. While other District artists, from beginner to intermediate, had their art displayed for casual viewing, these seniors submitted their portfolios and awaited judgment from a panel of district art teachers.

Among them was Rolling Meadows High School senior Makayla Ceballos, who took home multiple accolades: the District Art Scholarship, second place in the Short Film category of the D214 Time Arts Show, and the prestigious Richard M. Calisch Award for Fine Arts, after competing district wide for the other representatives of John Hersey, Elk Grove, Prospect, Wheeling, and Buffalo Grove High School. Along with her skill in illustration, she is also active in the music and theater scene at Rolling Meadows. She is the second Rolling Meadows student ever to win the District Scholarship.

“It was really a nice treat,” said Rolling Meadows Art teacher, Martha Nava. “…The Richard Calisch Award is a big deal. It doesn’t typically go to an art student… Makayla is just heavily involved [across the fine arts]….[her work] really shows the sophistication of her technique. She’s just really got it.”

Ceballos did not expect the honor. “When I found out I was really shocked,” Ceballos said, smiling. “…I covered my mouth and looked down…I didn’t think I would win something like that.”

Ceballos now plans on majoring in Illustration at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. She hopes, after receiving her Bachelor’s degree, she can earn a Master’s in Comic Art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Other Rolling Meadows artists were also featured in the showcase. Including artworks by seniors Shaun Vittore and Mika Carreon.

“I got to show [off] the art that I’d been making in AP Drawing,” said Vittore. “It was a good time!”

Carreon seconded the enjoyment of the day.

“It was a good experience,” added Carreon. “It’s my final year and it’s the last showcase I’ll be doing, so I was really proud to have all the things I’ve made this year on display, and to see where I’ve come [from] and where I’m at now.”

Both artists felt valued and honored by the experience.

“I never really got to have [my art] presented like this,” continued Vittore. “It made me feel like there was value…and that people cared about what the new generation is making.”

Vittore and Carreon both have a number of inspirations for their artwork and find their work to be an outlet and release. Vittore has big goals moving forward.

“I have five graphic novels I want to make,” Vittore explained. “It’s been a tough process trying to get stuff from my mind on the page, but every month I get a little closer.”

Agreeing with Vittore, Carreon also relays that her work comes from a mental state and makes its way into painting, sometimes due to its inability to be properly expressed with written language.

“A lot of my art is a representation of what’s going on in my life,” said Carreon, grinning. “It’s a show of my mental state, and things that are going on in my head that I can’t really describe with words….I find meaning in the paint strokes that I create.”

These artists are consistently creating and inspiring. While reflecting on her own journey, Ceballos offered several pieces of advice to younger artists.

“Just working with the people in my class….It’s helpful to get feedback from people, just to know if the meaning I put behind my work and the stories I’m trying to tell communicate well with an audience. It really helps.

[As an artist,] don’t compare yourself to anybody….If you compare yourself, you might lose that passion. If anything, make friends with other artists, because they can really inspire you and push you up. If there’s any opportunity to get your art out there, do it, because you’ll gain an audience and people will see your stuff.

If you want to pursue art in the future, don’t take anyone’s negative advice about that….It is tough, but it doesn’t mean that you’re not going to have a good career. I think if you follow your passion and you keep going with it, you’ll definitely get somewhere.”