Young artists accepted to NUMU exhibit
On Feb. 16, 2024, the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District announced six Los Gatos High School students and four Saratoga High School students have been accepted to New Museum Los Gatos’ (NUMU) ArtNow exhibition, an annual juried program. Since more than 800 entries poured in from across Santa Clara County, that means they’re in the top 10% of all submissions.
The budding local artists who can now compete for scholarship money and awards in eight artistic categories—painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, photography, digital art and video/animation—are:
· Sydney Chandler, 12th grade, LGHS
· Harry Cheetham, 11th grade, LGHS
· Kian Egami, 12th grade, LGHS
· Nicole Hao, 10th grade, SHS
· Connor Hines, 11th grade, LGHS
· Melanie Lee, 11th grade, SHS
· Amy Pan, 11th grade, SHS
· Jacob Smith, 12th grade, LGHS
· Isabelle Wang, 11th grade, SHS
· Charles Zhou, 12th grade, LGHS
This year’s theme, “In Transition” was co-created with the ArtNow Teen Council as an opportunity to reflect on past, personal and collective histories, challenges, and successes, considering how these ground us as we look forward to the future.
The exhibit will be on view at NUMU from March 22 – June 30.
Los Gatos author releases debut novel set in Santa Clara County
Longtime Los Gatos resident Jill Fordyce has made her fiction debut with a coming-of-age story about love, loss, and faith that’s partially set in Santa Clara County.
While the tale has scenes in Bakersfield, California, the story—which was born in a writing class at Stanford (over a decade ago)—has other portions that play out in Santa Clara.
The novel follows 13-year-old Jenny as an epic dust storm rolls into town in 1977. After a stunning turn of events, Jenny and Henry, her best friend, leave for college in LA together in the summer of 1982.
“Belonging” is a moving and original story of a girl coming of age and learning who she is in a family wracked with tension, set against a California landscape from the seventies to the present, chronicling the history of that time and place as much as its indelible characters,” said Malena Watrous, author of “If You Follow Me.”
Jill and her husband, Craig, have five children and split their time between Los Gatos and Tennessee.
​​Drotar honored at University of Arkansas
Reese Drotar of Los Gatos was named to the Fall 2023 Chancellor’s and Dean’s Lists in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas.
Drotar joins more than 2,500 additional Fulbright College students on the Fall 2023 Dean’s and Chancellor’s Lists.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must achieve at least a 3.75 grade point average for the semester while completing at least 12 credit hours. To qualify for the Chancellor’s List, students must also achieve at least a 4.00 grade-point average for the semester while completing at least 12 credit hours.
“It’s such a pleasure to recognize Reese for this spectacular achievement and for making Fulbright College and the University of Arkansas so incredibly proud,” said Kathryn Sloan, the college’s interim dean. “Reese represents the very best of Fulbright College and demonstrates excellence in academics and a commitment to our mission of peace through education.”
Reyes appointed Santa Clara County Poet Laureate
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors recently appointed San Jose resident Yosimar Reyes to the honorary post of Santa Clara County Poet Laureate for a two-year term ending Dec. 31, 2025.
In this role, Reyes will help promote the art of poetry at local community events, including during National Poetry Month, represent the County of Santa Clara through outreach related to poetry, and act as a resource for the Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD).
“The Poet Laureate position offers a chance to hear different voices and consider fresh perspectives in the realm of poetry and the spoken word,” County Librarian Jennifer Weeks said. “We look forward to seeing what Yosimar brings to this position and stand ready to assist with hosting community events and helping to spread the word about the majesty of all types of verse.”
