Ehlert, Sublewski earn admission to Art Institiute

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Rich Ehlert (left) took a photograph of a beautiful landscape. Jeremy Sublewski (right) sketched a picture of his classmates mom.

Seniors Jeremy Sublewski and Rich Ehlert have “unique skills”, according to Mrs. Julie Ann Chappetto, art director at Mount Carmel. Both students recently have been admitted into the Art Institute of Chicago for the 2015 fall semester, due to the quality of their artwork in their admissions portfolio.

Sublewski has been interested in art for only two years. Starting his dream at 15 years old, Jeremy said that he has “improved tremendously throughout the years.” He has been selected to participate in different art events at Mount Carmel and has had his art projects displayed outside of the classroom many times.

Although he was interested initially only because art was an required course, Sublewski developed a passion for drawing and painting. His first drawing was a portrait of a man wearing a monocle. “It was difficult to draw this piece. I had to transfer it from a smaller picture onto a canvass,” said Sublewski.

Art does things for people, whether it’s physically or emotionally. Many, including Sublewski, use art as an escape into another world. “Art gives me happiness. I feel like I have accomplished something great. When someone compliments my work, I gain an extra boost in my confidence.”

He is currently undecided with what he wants to get into while at the Art Institute, but says “I’m very confident in my abilities; I’m ready for anything.”

Rich Ehlert, on the other hand, noticed his passion for art at a young age. Ehlert’s kindergarten teacher viewed his drawings in class, telling his parents that he “had it in him.” Growing up, he wasn’t the best at reading books so he would turn to picture books or art for his entertainment. He live in a neighborhood with few other kids, so most days he would be at home drawing, painting, or taking pictures of some mysterious scenery. As he got older, though, the excitement he obtained from art decreased, causing him to follow other interest, such as history and politics.

However, his dream would soon come back. Ehlert credits Mrs. Chappetto for bringing that spark back into his life. Telling him that he was “amazing” and had “natural talent” convinced him enough that he should pursue his dream once more.

Like Sublewski, Ehlert also expresses his emotion through his artwork. Whenever he felt lonely or sad he would doodle or sketch pictures of different buildings. He took his art skills to a different level by participating in Junior Art courses at the Art Institute of Chicago. More recently, he has enrolled in Landscape, advanced drawing, and figure drawing.

The fact that both seniors have been accepted into the School of The Art Institute of Chicago is a credit to their talent, their teachers and their passion for art.