Art by local student to be displayed at governor’s mansion – Platte County Record-Times

By Lisa Phelps

CASPER – The image of a bison burned into raw lumber and polished was chosen by Wyoming’s First Lady, Jennie Gordon, to be on display at the governor’s mansion for a year. The image was the handiwork of Wheatland High School art student Courtney Dumont. A wood burn of a bugling elk by Dumont also won a blue ribbon, along with a mixed media coffee and graphite drawing of a horse and calf called “Mud Ring.”
The Wyoming Art Symposium is an annual event showcasing the best artwork of students in schools across the state. It is one of the largest of its kind in the nation, with 4,721 entries by 67 schools. Twenty-five percent of artwork received blue ribbons, and the First Lady chose a selection of them to be displayed at her home at the governor’s mansion in Cheyenne for a year. The artists are invited to attend a luncheon and awards ceremony with Gordon at the mansion in June; the artwork will be returned to the artists at next year’s symposium.
Dumont says art is an important part of her life, and she especially appreciates seeing people’s reactions to her art. “I like seeing when my art means something to them,” she said.