TALENTED STUDENTS SHOWCASED IN 18^TH ANNUAL CONNECTICUT SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS EXHIBITION AT HARTFORD ART SCHOOL

 Twelve students from Region 15 middle and high schools were winners in this year’s Scholastic Art Awards, sponsored by the Connecticut Art Education Association.

 Four Pomperaug High School (PHS) art students from Mr. Florin Firimita’s Advanced Placement class were selected for top honors at “Scholastics”. Jeremy K. won Gold for sculpture; Laetitia D. won Gold for Mixed Media; Wen S., received Silver for Photography, and Elizabeth W. won an Honorable Mention for Printmaking.

 Two students from Rochambeau Middle School (RMS) received Silver awards for Painting, under the guidance of RMS art teacher Mrs. Margaret Murphy: Morgan P. and Erika J. Their teacher praised Morgan and Erica for the amount of work they put in, outside of class to complete their artwork.

 “They needed extra time because of their attention to detail,” said Mrs. Murphy. “Both girls are active outside of school in extracurricular activities, so finding extra time to complete their piece shows dedication to their artwork.”

 Six Memorial Middle School (MMS) art students all won high awards for their artwork. Jessica B. won Gold for Design Apparel; Carolyn B. won Gold for Mixed Media; Anna K. won Gold for Design Graphic; and Lyra O. won Gold for Drawing. Krista R. won Silver for Drawing and Katharine M. won an Honorable Mention also for Drawing. Art teachers, Mrs. Elaine Kyle and Mr. David Santa Maria, teach the six students.

 Students from around the state of Connecticut submitted over 1,300 pieces of art including painting, drawing, graphic arts, photography, film and animation, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry and crafts. Region 15’s high school and two middle schools were three of the 134 schools participating. A jury of professionals and university art faculty selected 631 works and awarded 205 Gold Keys, (including 77 Gold Portfolios), 156 Silver Keys and 270 Honorable Mention Awards.

 All students must submit to the judges a written statement about their artwork, including information about the process and technique.

 “Region 15 usually has a good showing at Scholastics, so we look forward to it each year. Because all schools in the state, private and public, are invited to enter, the exhibition is highly competitive,” said RMS art teacher, Mrs. Margaret Murphy.  “Our young artists are required to look critically at art history, make educated choices in their designs, solve problems that arise, master the materials, and be able to communicate their ideas both visually and verbally. Being able to articulate what they are doing in their artwork shows a deep understanding for not only the materials but the creative process as well.”

   The 18^th Annual Connecticut Scholastic Art Awards competition and exhibition, the largest student visual arts event in the state, were on view at the Silpe Gallery, Hartford Art School, University of Hartford from January 15 through February 3, 2007. Awards and scholarships were presented at the University’s Lincoln Theater.

 The Connecticut Art Education Association organizes the statewide program, as part of the National Scholastic Art Awards, and is now the largest and oldest arts competition in the country. Top award and gold key winners’ work is also entered in a national level Scholastics competition with a National Awards Ceremony held at Carnegie Hall in June.