Wax Artist a Member of an Elite Profession

Sonya Vasquez spends her days surrounded by people who never talk to her. However, she never lets this bother her, you see, as they are all wax figures she has created.

Ms. Vasquez, in her mid-twenties, is the wax artist for the Palace of Wax in Grand Prairie and the Plaza Wax Museum in San Antonio, Texas. She is the only fulltime wax sculptor in Texas, and among a very small number in the entire world. She enjoys creating figures for guests visiting the museums to see.

A wax figure takes a minimum of 6–8 weeks to complete, and is valued at approximately $6,000 or more. The steps to making a new figure are:

1. Research: collection of hundreds of photos and videos of subject. Research includes size of person, body language, color of skin, hair, and eyes.
2. Sculpting: This is the most crucial step, which begins with a block of clay. The capture of facial expressions is very important, as the details must be exact in measurement and placement. Normally the neck and head are the only parts sculpted from clay.
3. Making a plaster mold: A mold is next made of plaster using the clay sculpting.
4. Completing the figure: Melted wax is then poured into the mold. After allowing time to set up, the wax bust is taken out of the mold and the completion details begin. Prosthesis glass eyes are inserted, human hair is plunged into the wax head one at a time, dental implant teeth are inserted, and the painting of the skin tones and special effects are begun.
5. The hands and arms are made by making a life-cast of a real person with similar features of the figure. Then wax is poured same way as the head.
6. The body is often begun using a fiberglass framework and adjusted to duplicate the person’s body type.
7. Costumes are completed by a costume designer who takes great detail in researching the authenticity of the clothing. This is especially true of historical figures.

$$$$ CASH PRIZE OPPORTUNITY: Send photos and written diary of process upon completion. Entries will be eligible for judging and awarding of cash prizes in May.

"FREEDOM’S JOURNEY"

A historical journey depicting many historical persons including a salute to our military branches. Listed below are significant figures represented:

• The Pilgrims
• Betsy Ross
• George Washington
• President Lincoln (giving his final address on the grounds of the White House)
• Union Soldier
• US Soldier for the Spanish American War (first volunteer of Calvary rough riders)
• A special salute to the branches of the military:
• Army soldiers from Vietnam War
• World War II Navy Soldier (Shore Patrol)
• World War II Army Machine Gunner
• Korean War Soldier
• Desert Storm Air Force Soldier
• Soldier American Astronauts
• Harry Truman
• Franklin Roosevelt
• American Astronauts
• Truman

"WALL OF 100 YEARS OF HISTORY"

A magnificent 80 ft. mural was painted to depict many of the historical events and inventions. For instance: do you know when Spam was first manufactured, or when the beanbag chair was invented, when the TV was invented …. Many fun and interesting facts.

History comes alive with a factual and fun chronological portrait of our country from 1900 through the 1990's. Among the events are:

1910
1910 the great migration begins. By 1940, almost 2 million blacks had left rural south urban centers.
1913 Congress passes the Underwood Tariff establishing the first national income tax.

1920
1920 The Volstead Act along with the 18th Amendment begins prohibition in the US.
1920 The 19th Amendment gives women the right to vote.
"Black Tuesday" October 29, the Stock Market crashes and begins the depression.

1930
Throughout the 1930s the depression and a severe drought, known as the Dust Bowl, sent "Okies" to California looking for better jobs.
1935 the social security act becomes law.

1940
1941 December 7, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.
1942 President Roosevelt orders all Japanese Americans to internment camps.
1944 June 6, D-Day, 400 ships converge on Normandy.
1945 The first atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, eight days later a 2nd A-bomb is dropped on Nagasaki Japan.

1950
1955 Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a public bus, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
1957 Federal Troops are sent to Little Rock, Arkansas to fight desegregation of black students.

1960
1962 The Cuban Missile Crisis.
1963 President John F. Kennedy is assassinated.
1964-65 the Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act forge a new future for people of color.
1969 Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the moon.

1970
1973 Roe vs. Wade legalizes abortion.
1974 President Nixon resigns his presidency as a result of the Watergate Scandal.
1979 Islamic students overtake the US Embassy in Iran, taking the staff as hostages.

1980
1981 President Carter negotiates release of Iran hostages.
1981 President Regan survives assassination attempt.
1986 space shuttle Challenger explodes killing 7 crew members.
1989 the Berlin Wall is torn down.

1990
1993 The World Trade Center is bombed by terrorists.
1998 the House of Representatives impeaches President Clinton.
1999 NATO bombs Yugoslavia to force the withdrawal of Serb Troops.

1. Divide classroom into different timeline groups and research inventions, fashions, movies, music, politics, etc. of the period. Compile a report using facts as well as illustrations.
2. Have class research events during specific time period and do a mural depicting results of research discuss how the event has affected us, or events that evolved as a result of the event.
3. The first year of the new century has been quite eventful. Do a time line of the year 2000 and predict how it will affect us in the years to come.

$$$$ CASH PRIZE OPPORTUNITY: Entries selected by teachers can be submitted for consideration of special recognition in May.

"Heroes of The Alamo"
A representation of the courageous men at the siege of the Alamo. Significant figures are:

• Sam Houston
• Santa Anna
• Travis
• Bowie
• Bonham
• Crockett

1. Research and write a biography of one of the heroes of the Alamo.
2. Many people were involved in the battle of the Alamo who are not so widely recognized. Research some of these brave people and tell of their contribution.
3. Over the years, the Alamo has become a symbol of Texas and its history. Many people have fought to keep the grounds and its contents intact and open to the public. Research some of the challenges involved as well as the organizations responsible for the preservation of the Alamo and its grounds.
4. Build a replica of the Alamo using different kinds of materials. Teacher submit photos for $$$ Cash Prize Opportunity.
5. Create costumes and make a dramatization of research done. Submit videos and photos for $$$ Cash Prize Opportunity.

"Children’s Land of Make Believe"

A journey through many classic childhood stories. A must for children of all ages.
Represented are:

• Rapunzel
• The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe
• Sleeping Beauty
• Hansel & Gretel
• Little Bo Peep
• Little Boy Blue
• Mary Poppins
• Little Miss Muffet
• Pinocchio & Gepetto
• Little Red Riding Hood
• Jack & the Beanstalk
• Peter Pan
• Cinderella
• Rumpelstiltskin

1. Read the stories as a class. Younger grades do a photo book of drawings of the favorite segments of the story.
2. Do dramatizations of any of the stories.
3. Older classes do compositions concerning what the message of the story meant to them.
4. Write a contemporary version of one of the classics with illustration.

$$$ CASH PRIZE OPPORTUNITY: Teacher submits video / photos for consideration of recognition.

• A portrait of Queen Elizabeth made of laundry lint
• A continuous wooden chain carved from one board
• A to-scale replica of the White House made of 6,057 1963 uncirculated dimes
• Model ships constructed from sea shells
• 475 foot long chain made of 11,400 folded gum wrappers
• Six foot tall Eiffel Tower constructed of toothpicks

$$$$ CASH PRIZE OPPORTUNITY: Teachers submit photos of completed projects to become eligible for judging for cash prizes.

• African brass neck ring
• German Inflation Money: printed on various materials such as silk and leather
• Feather Money: feathers from the bird of paradise are used in New Guinea
• Tea Bricks: Used in Mongolia & Tibet for wages
• Dowry Boxes: in India, a bride must present her husband with a dowry box filled with jewels and cash

• As a gesture of contempt, Rajah, ruler of India crowned a jackal who ruled the country for 12 years!
• Spaghetti, a favorite food of China was introduced to Italy in the 13th century!
• Chewing gum was introduced to the United States by Santa Anna!
• The Principle of modern bridge building was patterned after the hinged vertebrae of the dinosaur of 160,000,000 years ago!
• Robert Wadlow was the world’s tallest man. He stood 8’11" tall and wore shoes size 37AA.
• Can you name three sports in which the winner crosses the finish line backwards? (rowing, swimming & tug-o-war)

• The lobby of the museum contains a 20’ long animated T-Rex
• Triceratops horn
• Dinosaur egg nest in sandstone
• Allosaurus claw
• Insects imbedded in amber stone
• Petrified raindrops
• Tyrannosaurus tooth and claw
• Fossilized leg bone

Study natural disasters; learn what causes them, why they are found in specific regions, and how people can protect themselves. List results of some of the most devastating disasters and how the area recovered.

1. Specifically, study the Hurricane of Galveston and how the city rebuilt to become the vibrant city it is today.
2. Texas is prone to several natural disasters, make a map with a study of each region’s vulnerabilities.