Arts Student of the Week-Mya McGovern

Mya McGovern has always had a creative side, and, since coming to Niwot High as a freshman in 2020, she has been taking advantage of opportunities to develop it. So far, the sophomore has taken the 2D Design class twice, plus 3D Design, and Beginning Sculpture, which quickly became her favorite.

"I really like sculpture best, because it's more hands-on, and you get to really create something, instead of just a drawing," the sophomore said.

McGovern finds more "creative freedom" in abstract art, but got a chance to explore realism with a recent class project that had students using paper-clay, a medium that is similar to papier-mâche, but dries without applied heat.

"We had to make a childhood memory," she said. "We had to make a wire body, then put on the clay to make a person. I made a person with a crown."

McGovern's prolific output has not gone unnoticed by her teachers. According to Mrs. Hinds, the school's art director, the sophomore "thrives" in her creative classes.

"Mya has come a long way since she entered the arts department," the teacher wrote in an email interview. "She is a very diligent worker, a conscientious artist, and patient and helpful with her peers."

During her next two years at Niwot, McGovern plans to expand her sculpting repertoire and expand into other media. She also expressed her thanks to Mrs. Hinds for her support, calling her a "great teacher."