Gavin Hatcher
Gavin is an active student, serving as an officer of the Accountability, Leadership, and Opportunity (ALO) Club, a member of the Black Student Union (BSU), and a contributor to the Black History Month Planning Committee. While he dedicates much of his time to extracurricular activities, his true passion lies in visual art.
Over the past year, Gavin has created several remarkable pieces, including “Taken,” “Critical Eyes,” and “Jaguars.” His most celebrated works, however, include “Transitions,” which earned a Merit Award at the First CRANDIC High School Biannual Art Exhibit at Coe College; “Magnolia,” which was selected for the National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition and received the Laguna $100 Award of Artistic Achievement; and “Tradición,” which won top entry in the 5th Annual What is LOVE? Art Contest from the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence and second place in two-dimensional art at the Kirkwood High School Art Invitational 2025.
Each piece Gavin creates carries deep personal meaning. “Transitions” reflects his move from Texas to Iowa and the emotions that came with it. “Magnolia” serves as a symbol of the South, where he is originally from, while “Tradición” honors his family’s holiday traditions through a rich display of cultural symbols.
“Art is more than just making a pretty picture,” Gavin said. “It’s a form of storytelling. It’s freeing, and it gives me a way to express myself.”
Since transferring to Linn-Mar, Gavin’s artistic style has evolved significantly. He credits classes like Beginning Drawing and Ceramics, as well as teachers like Ms. White and Mr. Genskow, for challenging him to grow as an artist. Moving from Dallas to Marion was a major shift, but it ultimately pushed him to explore new artistic directions and redefine his work.
Looking ahead, Gavin plans to continue his journey in art, whether through formal education at an art school or by diving directly into the professional world. Regardless of where life takes him, he knows one thing for certain—he will always be creating.
His advice to aspiring artists? “Practice, practice, practice. Art isn’t just a gift, but it’s a skill that must be practiced repeatedly. Never give up on art even if you make one bad drawing or one hundred bad drawings. With a bit of practice, you can be good at anything.”
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