Nancy Churnin

Suzanna B. Weeks, 17, of Dallas wants to draw art for comic books.

Day Le, 18, of Carrollton aspires to become a fashion designer.

And Richard Romero, 18, of Mesquite has always dreamed of becoming a firefighter – who keeps growing as an artist for the rest of his life.

These are three of the 37 teens from 10 area high schools whose work was chosen from 250 applicants to hang in the "Young Masters Exhibition" annual showcase at the Dallas Museum of Art through May 4. Winners of best of show and first through third place will be announced April 1.

The remarkable program, founded by longtime Dallas philanthropists Edith and Peter O'Donnell just over 10 years ago, is part of the larger Advanced Placement Arts Incentive Program they started in 1994.

The showcase particularly close to the heart of Mrs. O'Donnell, 82, whose hope is to encourage teens to explore the arts, find new ways of looking at and interpreting the world and, above all, believe in themselves.

It's a little different, she says with a laugh, from the way her artistic aspirations were treated when she was a young girl.

"My mother signed me up with a local artist from Abilene who was a watercolorist. When he saw that I was going to make a mess, he sat me out in the back yard with a jar of water and paints, and about all I got out of that was a good case of chiggers from the grass."

And although she continued to study and draw through her college years, she has found her greatest creative satisfaction in nurturing the Young Masters artists.

"I go back to see the exhibits many times and just glow over them," she says.

She has always believed that having young people see their work hang alongside that of the great artists at the DMA would prove powerful. And it has. Through the years, more than 7,000 students have participated in the O'Donnell Foundation's AP incentive programs, and graduating seniors received $7,320,550 in scholarship offers last year alone.

On this page and the facing page, Suzanna, Day and Robert talk about what inspired their art.

Suzanna B. Weeks, 17

Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts

Work: Otto Dix, I Want to Paint Like You

In her own words: "This self-portrait was influenced by the German new realism movement, particularly by the work of Otto Dix. I was fascinated by the combination of realism and slight distortion. To emulate his technique, I heightened the colors in my skin and exaggerated my facial features."

Talking with Suzanna: Suzanna used to get in trouble for doodling back in her early elementary school years. So when she realized she couldn't draw in class, she got up early before school to practice her artwork.

"That's when my parents realized I was serious about this." (Suzanna's father is former Dallas Morning News book critic Jerome Weeks.)

She entered Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts with the goal of drawing art for comic books. Once there, she was told that before she could take classes on drawing stylized art, she would have to learn how to draw realistically.

At first she was skeptical.

"I thought you couldn't do much with realistic art. But once I started, I realized how much you could do with it."

And then she fell in love with the art of Max Ernst, Edvard Munch and, in particular, Mr. Dix, whose exaggerated realism inspired the self-portrait selected for the "Young Masters."

She still wants to draw for comic books, but she is glad she has journeyed through the world of realistic art first.

"I think it's easier to tweak what you've learned in a fine arts program and apply it to comic book arts than the other way around."

She admits to being surprised and thrilled that this very personal work of art was chosen.

"It's really amazing to have a piece at the DMA," she says. "The idea that people would want my work in a gallery, wow. It's really cool."

Day Le, 18

Creekview High School, Carrollton

Work: Going With the Flow

In his own words: "I was able to be spontaneous while creating this piece. The wire's flexibility and color gave movement both visually and literally. The paper towel spirals add to my concept of the carefree, playful attitude in my work."

Talking with Day: Day calls his work Going With the Flow because that's how he created it: starting with one idea and then changing it as new ideas came to him.

"It ended up being a head piece, and when I was looking around for something to make it pop out more, I saw paper towels, which made it look more like a mane. My teacher said, 'Maybe add some color.' So I took colored wires and worked them in."

Going with the flow is also a good description of Day's overall approach to art. Born in Vietnam, he moved with his family to the United States at age 2, where his parents encouraged him to develop his skills in math and science. But Day had a love for art that he began to indulge two years ago in high school art classes. He's currently taking five art classes, including AP art history.

"Art for me makes me see the world in a more detailed way. You have to notice the world to make art," he says.

On his work being chosen? "I was ecstatic," he says. It's proved a welcome validation of his ambition to become a fashion designer.

"I am following my heart. You have to do that."

Richard Romero, 18

Poteet High School, Mesquite

Work: Horse From Below

In his own words: "This unusual perspective compels the viewer to make a careful examination of the image before determining what is actually seen. The point of view of a horse from below emphasizes its immensity and evokes a feeling of grandeur. Yet at the same time, the normally powerful image of a horse's stride appears more fragile and precarious from this perspective."

Talking with Richard: For Richard, having his work selected for the "Young Masters" is a family tradition. Hanging on his family's living room wall is the work of his older brother, who just earned a graduate degree in public health at Yale University.

What he loves about art, Richard says, is "just creating something that I like that comes out of my head, that I can do anything I want using my imagination."

His inspiration here was a toy horse he had since he was 5. He thought it would be interesting to draw it from a different perspective. And then he thought about how much perspective can affect the way one views the world.

"We all have different views about a lot of things, not just about art. I think it's one of the most interesting pieces that I've done," he says.

While achieving this honor has not shaken him from his lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter, it has inspired him to keep art in his life.

"It's a great feeling to think that my piece will be at the Dallas Museum of Art, where great pieces are hung and viewed," he says. "I don't think I'm ever going to stop drawing. I don't think I'll ever be satisfied and think I'm done."

Plan your life

Exhibit continues through May 4 in the Tower Gallery of the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood. Hours: Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays until 9 p.m. Awards presentation April 1. 214-922-1200. www.dallasmuseumofart.org.

Free with museum admission: $10, $7 seniors, $5 for students with school identification, free for children under 12. Free on Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m. and the first Tuesday of each month. $5 for underground parking (driveways on Harwood and St. Paul).