This vibrant piece is created using acrylic paints by

Jessica L. Calcut

from Colora, Maryland

Theme: "Galaxy Gazers" depicts two figures gazing into the universe. In the background is Earth and Saturn. Who are these people? Where do they originate? What is their purpose? This is all left up to the imagination of whomever views this painting. This is the wonder and magic of our universe!

Biography: I began my interest in art at the age of six, and my interest in space when I missed the meteor shower five years ago. Viewing the sky from telescopes and being able to depict what I see on paper has piqued my interest so much that I have entered this scholarship contest.

In our home we had three children who were learning at different levels. Because we were home educated I saw my brother (Who was older than me) and my mother working on art projects often. I felt left out and I wanted to explore art too. We had just about every median of art supplies available and I would busily work on my "own projects."

As I got older I realized that I had a real, genuine interest in art and began branching into textiles, knitting, crocheting, quilt making, and jewelry making. I started playing the violin at age nine, learning fast that in addition to art interests, I also loved music. We had all types of music played in our home and I developed a love for classics and show tunes.

In time I began playing with several youth orchestras and in ninth grade began playing with the Newark Symphony Orchestra. I also placed a seat in All State Orchestra for Delaware in 2001. In 2202-2005 I played in specialty groups and also had some solo engagements at work establishments.

My love for music inspired me to try out for the Tri State Home-School Choir in which I sang several different parts and also sang in a smaller competition choir called the Madrigals. We competed in the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair and ACSI and placed first in our second year at the festival, and got a Superior rating at ACSI. We also sang at extended care facilities for the elderly and at charity functions.

Science exploration and the scientific method were like household words at our house. We would sit in the driveway and view eclipses from our homemade view boxes, perform experiments, do dissections in the kitchen, and use telescopes to view the stars from our backyard. I remember one day especially, because it is the day I really began an interest in space.

It was time for the 50th year meteor shower. We lived in Delaware and the shower was to take place in the wee hours of the morning. My mother worked nights and was going to call us when to get up. My brother and I decided we would sit up all night and catch the shower. We fell asleep and my mom was not able to call, I missed the shower and was so disappointed.

Through my disappointment I learned two things: I wanted to know more about space and that I am in control of my own schedule and time management. So I began to branch out into scientific ventures that combined science and music. In 10th grade a friend and I entered the Science Olympiads Competition for the state of Delaware and had to design instruments from scratch that would play two octaves on key, and also compose a song to play on the instruments I had made. We placed 8th in the state. It was a real learning experience in perseverance.

When scouring the Internet and other resources for scholarship information I picked several I felt I would have an interest. This particular one parked my interest because space seems so magical. Space inspires people to think of what it might be to live on other planets. Is there life there? In the painting I chose to paint, there are two faces gazing at earth and Saturn. They are from two places in the universe...it is left up to the imagination as to who and where these two figures are from.