WHS student tackles stigma with artwork

Wallace Jr./Sr. High School senior Ciera Milotz was an honorable mention at the University of Idaho’s annual High School Art Exhibition. Courtesy photos

Milotz’s pencil on paper piece “Self Confidence” explores body image and how many people see themselves.

by JOSH McDONALD
Local Editor | March 8, 2019 1:01 PM

Milotzs pencil on paper piece Self Confidence explores body image and how many people see themselves.

WALLACE — Another local high school art student was given an honorable mention at the University of Idaho’s annual High School Art Exhibition.

Last week, the News-Press reported on Kellogg artist MacKenzie Marker, a Kellogg High School artist. This week we are shining a light on Wallace artist Ciera Milotz.

Milotz, a senior at Wallace Jr./Sr. High School took the Art Speaks Truth concept to a level that is incredibly familiar for a lot of people who struggle with their body image.

Her instructor, Katie Lund was thrilled with Milotz’s pencil on paper creation entitled “Self Confidence” and praised her reasoning for the drawing.

“When presented with the theme Art Speaks Truth, Ciera spent a lot of time considering what ideas she would illustrate in her artwork,” Lund said. “She ultimately decided she would take on issues relating to body image as this is a widely understood problem.”

Milotz echoed her teacher’s sentiments when describing her work.

“My artwork relates to the theme Art Speaks Truth because it shows how many women see their bodies when they look in the mirror,” Milotz said.

Milotz plans on continuing to create art after high school because she enjoys being creative.

Milotz joins fellow WHS senior Maggie Howard as an award winner at the exhibition.

This annual art competition held in Moscow at the UI campus is in its 28th year and invites more than 200 students from 30 high schools around the state (including larger North Idaho schools) to compete and show off their creative abilities.

For more information about the Art Exhibition and the UI College of Art and Architecture, visit https://www.uidaho.edu/caa/news/annual-events/high-school-art-exhibit.