Students receive artist awards

Claire Fox performing in 2019’s Nutcracker.

An original art piece Madison Waugh submitted as part of her application.

Mark Dykes

Chadron High students Claire Fox and Madison Waugh are among the 69 juniors from 30 high schools across the state selected as winners of the 24th annual Nebraska Young Artist Awards.

The awards, presented by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts recognize 11th grade students from Nebraska for their talents in visual art, dance, music, theatre, and film and emerging media arts.

Waugh, the daughter of Jeff Waugh and Theresa Long and whom received her award in visual arts, said Art and Design teacher Travis Hencey told students about the awards last semester and encouraged them to apply. She submitted three different pieces, one of which was a freehand animation called “Mr. Fear,” based on a comic book of the same name Waugh’s been developing since she was 15.

The story of “Mr. Fear,” she explained, is about an overlord from another world who came to Earth to conquer it. When he first arrives he lands in a military base and is captured, developing a fear of humans in the process. When he comes back again he casts a spell to trap himself in a girls mind to get away from humans.

“I’m really proud of this one because it took me three months,” Waugh said of her animation. She was inspired by her sister, Kaycee, who also does animation. Waugh also submitted two static artworks.