Autumn Stevens

DAVINCI Showcase Reflection

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Showcase Reflection
14 January 2015
The DAVINCI Showcase 2015 was an experience I was grateful to be a part of but
slightly disappointed with. Between observing the variety of projects exhibited and the
opportunity to display my proudest piece entitled Ada to Adah, I feel I encountered the true
essence of the DAVINCI Pillars. I came to the high school in hopes of expanding my horizons
and experiencing opportunity that may not be available in other arenas; the DAVINCI Showcase
fulfilled that hope entirely. I was disappointed to find that my application was of little importance
in the end. However, through the procedure of creating a project, submitting an application, and
explaining my thought process and symbolism in an artist statement, the passion and creativity in
my project was both amplified and intensified.
The piece I submitted into the DAVINCI Showcase was Ada to Adah; a physical 3D
project that symbolized two sides of the character Adah from the book The Poisonwood Bible--a
book we read in our Freshman Honors English class. I was quite proud of the depth in each
element included in the project to symbolize aspects of our character. The workmanship
displayed in Ada to Adah was impeccable as well. My group and I spent a good eight hours
composing the physical art piece and writing the essay coinciding with it. Overall, I would say
this project modeled a side of creativity and effort not normally seen in this type of project.
My artist statement was another element I was pleased with. Every necessary connection
with the DAVINCI Pillars was made in an elaborate and concrete manner. Our thought process
and deep meaning behind every component clearly illustrated our fulfillment of the task. The
artist statement was interesting to write because I had to place my DAVINCI thinking into words
that described my cogitations. Personally, that was hard; there was so much meaning in Ada to
Adah that I had to explain, the artist statement became a real challenge.
To me, the application process was chaotic. There was so much going on and so much
miscommunication that my application seemed disregarded. I filled out each part and received
the necessary signatures in hopes of simplifying any possible complications. I was slightly
disappointed because on the application I noted that our project was two-sided and needed to be
displayed in a manner that exhibited both. When I came to the Showcase, I found our project
sitting against a wall with only one side visible and our coinciding papers strewn around the
floor. I suppose I felt that the application was overlooked and ignored, seeming almost
unnecessary.
Even though my project was not displayed to its full extent, it did not impact my
enjoyment of the DAVINCI Showcase experience. Through the procedure of creating a project,
submitting an application, and explaining my thought process and symbolism in an artist
statement, the passion and creativity in my project was both amplified and intensified. I am
excited for next semester seeing as how I can only improve upon my workmanship and
understanding of the DAVINCI style. I feel I encountered the true essence of the DAVINCI
Pillars. I came to the high school in hopes of expanding my horizons and experiencing
opportunity that may not be available in other arenas; the DAVINCI Showcase fulfilled that hope
entirely. I am grateful for the effort of all the students and teachers to solidify my pleasure of the
beginning of my high school experience.