Art is Haley Bidwell’s passion. Haley, a senior at Willow Bend Academy’s Plano campus says, “You Gotta Have Art”.

She discovered her artist’s passion when she was in elementary school when her teacher chose one of her projects for entry into a city-wide contest.  While that entry did not win a prize, it became her inspiration to continue to improve her skills.

She continued to enroll in school art classes and has also attended summer programs at California College of Arts and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in Colorado.

Since the school day at Willow Bend Academy is only four hours of concentrated academic studies, Haley has time during the afternoons to receive intense personal instruction from professional artists at two local studios. Students at Willow Bend Academy may progress at their own pace rather than having to move forward only with the entire class.  This has allowed her to complete her academic work and still have time for intense art instruction off campus.

Haley is accomplished in several media ranging from acrylics, scratch art and finger painting to her favorites, which are oil and pencil.  Her future plans include attending one of several premier art colleges with plans for a professional career as an artist.

The impressive works she displayed at school are among her favorites. When asked if any were for possible sale, she responded that she really didn’t want to part with any of them. They have become part of her professional portfolio.

While Willow Bend Academy can’t take credit for developing her talent, we are able to provide a schedule which allows her to pursue her passion without sacrificing class or family time.

She will be missed by both students and teachers, but we look forward to learning of her future success upon graduation from Willow Bend Academy.