Hannah Lodwick, a graduate of Free State High School, has been named the 2008-2009 ArtStar.

For someone whose primary medium is 2-D visual art, Hannah Lodwick sure did a lot in the world of music this year.

Lodwick, who recently graduated from Free State High School, earned a first-chair spot in the flute section of the Kansas Music Educators Association’s State Band. She also earned top ratings for her flute solo and a flute trio at state music competition.

“For me, music plays hand in hand with art quite a bit,” Lodwick says. “It’s hard to do one without the other.”

Her multiple talents have earned Lodwick the overall ArtStar award for 2008-2009. The award, which includes a $500 scholarship, is sponsored by The World Company and Jayhawk Dental.

Lodwick was chosen from among nine winners throughout the school year.

On the visual art side of things, Lodwick won first place in the digital imaging division and was a finalist in the pastel painting division of the “Kansas: As Talented as You Think” competition. She also had one of her works, part of a series about beat writer William S. Burroughs, published in Aerie International magazine.

“I’m happy with the road I led,” Lodwick says of her senior year.

She plans to attend the Kansas City Art Institute in the fall. She isn’t sure yet what her major will be, but she’s considering painting, print-making, creative writing and digital imaging/photography as possibilities.

She also wants to audition for a professional flute choir in Kansas City and possibly take lessons or join a band at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

“I’m very excited,” Lodwick says. “I think it’s going to be really good for me, art-wise, to be in a new place with new teachers. I’m super-excited.”