FOCUS ON AN ARTIST
William "Kiv" Kramer, Senior, Class of 2014
Kiv, as he is known around Olivet is an Olivet resident who lives on Garfield Lake. He has a younger sister, Allie who also attends Olivet High school. Kiv is an avid backpacker and loves football. His favorite class is physical education. Once this school year is complete he plans to continue his education at Grand Valley State University to study pre-dental. Artistically, Kiv has been influenced by his dad, the late Will Kramer. Kiv said his dad used to draw a lot of pictures and Kiv strives to be as good as his dad was. Kiv's favorite color is green and his favorite artist is Pablo Picasso. He likes Picasso's work, The Old Guitarist. When Kiv creates he is trying to show that if one puts in thought and hard work, you can create something amazing. Kiv tries to challenge himself to improve on every project. When asked if he could have lunch with anyone living or dead, Kiv said he would have lunch with his dad. Kiv's dad recently died of cancer and he was an inspiration and role model to so many. His life has had a ripple effect and through his death, he still impacts us all through the Will to Live Foundation. Kiv said he would eat lunch with his dad at his dad's favorite restaurant and they would talk sports. |
Rebekah Greilick, Senior - Class of 2014
Senior, Rebekah Greilick of Olivet is an avid reader and an avid artist. She has two brothers and two sisters and both of her sisters also enjoy creating in an art studio. Rebekah has been attending Olivet since 4th grade and will continue her post high school education at Eastern Michigan University. Rebekah's funniest memory is all rolled up in the making of her Boy Dance Party Triangle Pot. She also has fond memories of the fun conversations with students in her Pre-Calc class, namely Mike Brown and Carney Greene. Missing her middle school art classes got her started creating art. When she creates, she is trying to express and convey her abilities, which she does very well by the way. Good artwork inspires her and makes her want to create something. Her favorite medium is clay and her favorite masterpiece at the time of this interview is her Humpty Dumpty Balloon Pot. Rebekah is self inspired mostly, but she does admit that she can be competitive. She has a natural ability for throwing on a pottery wheel and makes beautiful thrown pots. She has made many for Christmas gifts for office staff. When asked if she were a crayon what color she would be, Rebekah said, "I would be green because I'm calm and relaxed most of the time." The person she would choose to have lunch with if she could pick anyone dead or alive would be Jesus because being surrounded by such purity might inspire her to be a better person. |
Arren Kelley, Senior - Class of 2014
Because of her artistic talent, many people have wondered what senior, Arren Kelley's future career plans hold. Arren, who has attended Olivet for the past three years plans to pursue a career in an art related field. She would like to be a special effects make up artist and/or a tattoo artist. Arren has three sisters and one brother. In her spare time she loves to read, play softball and draw. She loves to draw so much that she prefers not to be without her sketchbook for even a day. Her favorite class is Sculpture and her favorite medium is pencil. Favorite Artist: My dad. Funniest High School Memory: When I dressed up like the Joker. What got you started creating art: My dad. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Gray, because it's a quiet color, calm color. What is your greatest masterpiece so far? A painting I made for my brother on his birthday. It was of a sunset or sunrise (depending on the person) in like Africa and it had 3 trees and stars. It was beautiful. I believe it was burned in a house fire. Who inspired you to become an artist? My dad. If you could have lunch with one person dead or alive who would it be and why? Johnny Depp, because he's an amazing actor and extremely sexy or Taylor Momsen because she is a very talented singer and she's awesome. |
Kelsey Walkowski, Senior, Class of 2014 is our first featured artist of the 2013-14 school year. Kelsey lives in Marshall, Michigan and has attended Olivet since the beginning of sixth grade. She is one of a set of triplets. Christopher and Hayley complete the set.
In Kelsey's free time she enjoys basktetball, track, tubing and shopping. She plans to attend Grand Valley State Universtiy to study Accounting or Physical Therapy.
Favorite Art Medium: Clay, Writing Utensils.
Favorite Artist: Participants in the "Chalk the Block" at Port Saint Joe
Funniest School Memory: My Varsity Coach giving me the nickname "Crash". My sibling and I together are Crash and Burn.
What are you trying to express when you create art? My personality/happiness.
What got you started creating art? Enjoyment - for fun.
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? I would be pink because it is my favorite color and represents love... also represents breast cancer.
What is your greatest masterpiece so far? Definitely my triangle pot.
Who or what inpires you art? Paradise, Disney, my hobbies, Ms. Cordier
Who inspired you to become an artist? I started drawing when I was really young... a second grade crush!
If you could have lunch with anyone dead or alive who would it be and why? Taylor Swift because she inspires everyone to be who they are - themselves.
In Kelsey's free time she enjoys basktetball, track, tubing and shopping. She plans to attend Grand Valley State Universtiy to study Accounting or Physical Therapy.
Favorite Art Medium: Clay, Writing Utensils.
Favorite Artist: Participants in the "Chalk the Block" at Port Saint Joe
Funniest School Memory: My Varsity Coach giving me the nickname "Crash". My sibling and I together are Crash and Burn.
What are you trying to express when you create art? My personality/happiness.
What got you started creating art? Enjoyment - for fun.
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? I would be pink because it is my favorite color and represents love... also represents breast cancer.
What is your greatest masterpiece so far? Definitely my triangle pot.
Who or what inpires you art? Paradise, Disney, my hobbies, Ms. Cordier
Who inspired you to become an artist? I started drawing when I was really young... a second grade crush!
If you could have lunch with anyone dead or alive who would it be and why? Taylor Swift because she inspires everyone to be who they are - themselves.
Below: Class of 2012-2013 Featured artists
Senior, 2013 Ellery Walker of Marshall, Michigan
Traveling to South Africa on mission trips have been a part of Ellery Walker's life experiences even though she is only a senior in high school. The people of South Africa have had an impact on Ellery's life and as a result these experiences have inspired her art. Playing with kids in South Africa is just one of Ellery's hobbies in addition to riding and showing horses, dance, track, cross country, reading, drawing and singing. Ellery lives in Marshall and has one brother, Nick. After high school Ellery will be attending the University of Michigan to study architecture. In preschool, she used macaroni noodles to make the letters of the alphabet and she hasn't stopped creating since. Her favorite masterpiece to date is her sketch of George Clooney, which is pictured to the left. When asked about some of her favorites she felt it was impossible to decide on a favorite class. "I loved Chemisry, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Spanish, Food Science, Anatomy, Forensics, and of course my art classes," Walker remarked. When creating in those art classes she is comfortable with just a regular graphite pencil although she appreciates every art medium because they are unique and fun. Her favorite high school memory was getting lost on 13 mile run to Charlotte when the coach forgot to tell them about a turn and four runners ran 17 miles instead. When Ellery creates art it is her goal to express emotions about the subject so that the viewer can understand not just what the piece appears to be, but what it truly means to her when she created it. If Ellery could have lunch with anyone dead or alive she would dine with Nelson Mandela because she would like to thank him for his dedication to uniting two peoples in a country controlled by apartheid. His love for the African people is truly an inspiration. |
There are always a handful of students whose work is admired by students, staff, parents and visitors alike. Alexis is one of those students. Alexis has attended Olivet since kindergarten. She is the oldest of three girls. Post high school she plans to attend Grand Valley State Universtiy's honor college.
Her hobbies include art and her favorite class is any art class. Her favorite medium to work with is clay. Her favorite artist is Andy Warhol because he was very interesting. Q&A What is your funniest high school memory? Anything involving Ty and Deon. What are you trying to express when you create art? I am trying to express the way I see the world around me. What got you started creating art? Probably my grandma being so into crafts. If you were a crayon, what color would you be and why? I would be black because paper is white and black and white is my favorite color combo. What is your greatest masterpiece so far? My dragon teapot. Who inspired your art or you to become an artist? Ms. Cordier because she believes in me and pushes me too be better. If you could have lunch with anyone dead or alive who would it be and why? The famous singer Selena. My sisters and I have been obsesssed with her since before we even started school. |
Senior, Allison Kirk
of Charlotte, Michigan
Allison Kirk has attended Olivet Community Schools since 3rd grade. She has two brothers and two sisters. Her interests include basketball and the equestrian team, which this year went to States. She plans to attend college to pursue a degree in Insurance.
Allison's favorite class in high school is Ceramics and her favorite art medium to work with is clay. She likes functional art, simple but elegant. What got her started doing art was those at home art kits. She loved those growing up. When asked if she was a crayon what color would she be, she said "gray" because she is very "plain Jane". She is most proud of her gargoyle oil burner that she created out of clay. Her funniest high school memory is when the seniors made her wear a helmet to basketball practice her freshmen year. If she could have lunch with anyone dead or alive it would be Marilyn Monroe because "she knew how to play her body off well, she was smart and she played stupid to play the part". |
Senior, Joey Mohler
of Charlotte, Michigan
Joey Mohler has attended Olivet Community schools for 13 years. He has a brother and a sister. His hobbies include the fine arts (band, art, etc.). His post high school plans include attending Olivet College and then enlisting in the Air Force. His favorite class is Ceramics or Sculpture. His favorite medium is clay (no surprise!). His favorite artist is MC Escher.
Funniest High School Memory: Senior Night at Band Camp
What are you trying to express when you create art? I try to express creativity and ingenuity, and a willingness to think outside the box and do things differently. If you were a crayon what color would you be and why? Green. Green represents growth and rebirth, to me anyway. Green is also just a pleasant and fresh color. What is your greatest masterpiece so far? I feel like my soapstone carving is my best due to the color and the texture of the stone. Who inspired you to become an artist? No one in particular. I have always just loved art, especially creating it. If you could have lunch with anyone dead or alive who would it be and why? I would have lunch with Buddy Rich(September 30, 1917 – April 2, 1987) because he is one of the most influential drummers in the world and his style is very inspiring. |