Local art competition winner, Bailey Deplitch, has designed murals for two structures at Saint Mathews Episcopal Church in San Andreas. The competition, which involved students from local schools, sought designs for three murals as part of the Rainwater Harvesting Project, a collaboration between St. Mathew's Episcopal Church and the Calaveras Master Gardeners. According to project lead Xan Adams, Deplitch's artwork was the definitive choice for two of the three locations.
As the contest winner, Deplitch received a $600 check, along with a $600 matching grant awarded to Bret Harte’s Visual Art Department, yesterday March 25 during an informal check presentation in Angels Camp. Reverend Karen Matthews of St. Matthew’s offered her encouragement to Deplitch, expressing appreciation for her artistic talents and wishing her continued success in the visual arts.
“Bailey is a driven and innovative art student,” shared art instructor Mr. Waelty. “Her success with the Rainwater Harvesting Project demonstrates her strong ability to adapt and apply her creativity to new challenges. I look forward to her continued development and achievements.”
Deplitch shared with the Calaveras Enterprise on January 22, “I have loved art since I could hold a paint brush, and it has always been my ultimate dream to have a career in the art industry.”
She added, “I’d like to acknowledge my parents who have always supported me to do what I love the most and know what is right, my siblings, my very best friend who’s also my boyfriend, and my heavenly art teacher [Martha Wallace] who was the spark since the very beginning.”
To read more Deplitch and this project, visit https://www.calaverasenterprise.com/articles/arts-entertainment/aspiring-young-artist-wins-contest-appreciates-influences.
The Calaveras Enterprise reported that St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church was awarded over $18,000 to create a demonstration rainwater harvesting and water conservation program at the church, located at 414 Oak Street, in San Andreas. The project scope involved incorporating landscaping, seminars, and educational opportunities to enable anyone interested in using the techniques to reduce runoff and replenish the aquifer. Of the monies, up to $1,800 was slated to go towards design prize awards.
To learn more about the Calaveras Master Gardeners, visit https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-calaveras-county. Picture courtesy of Mr. Nanik. Pictured, left to right, Reverend Mathews and Deplitch. Artwork in the background is one of two designs to be featured as a mural in San Andreas.