ARTS’ Emerging Artists Awards Announced
Arts for Rural Texas in Fayetteville announced the winners of the annual Emerging Artists Competition that opened on Saturday, Aug. 7. The exhibition is open to youth in grades six through twelve and offers awards at each grade level. Youth are encouraged to enter original artwork in several media from painting and drawing to photography to three-dimensional creations. The Emerging Artists Competition is proudly underwritten by Arne and Mary Le Johnson.
ARTS’ Executive Director Karen Vernon states how important it is to recognize youth that explore creative studies. “So often only the public activities such as athletics are recognized while musicians, artists, poets and others are not as readily seen. The arts develop the whole person, using language, math, science, interpersonal skills, problem solving skills, and more. The arts develop students into strong citizens and community leaders. I am honored to be a part of recognizing these gifted youth.”
Exhibition judge Tom Vining stated, “I was surprised to see the skill level of all grade levels. Many of the decisions were very difficult due to the quality of the work presented.
Awards were presented at each grade level with a Best of Show award presented to Phoenix Kooper for his painting Olympia.
First Place awards were presented to: Bianca Carello for Mushrooms, Emma Koeth for Wilber, Autumn Wolf for Reflection, Aubri Bernsen for Play With Me, William Bernsen for Imperial Storm Trooper Wearable Helmet, Katie Kondritz for Hay There!, and Zoe Urban for Green Keeper.
Second Place awards were presented to: Olivia Noska for Midnight Fairy, Tori Newton, The Natural Beauty of Texas, Grace Moore for Mother and Child, Cara Homer for Angels in the Light, Vanessa Vickers for Blueberry Cheesecake and Blue Tigers, Hannah Wilson for Rushing Water, and Emory Poirier for They All Float.
Third Place awards were presented to: Britton Poirier for Peni, Jalee Trussell for Nezuko, Katelyn Krenek for Summer Rain, Samantha Kubena for A Girl, Emma Wingred for Yesterday’s Love Rose and Aubrey LeMaire for Hit the Jackpot.
The Emerging Artists Competition 2021 will be open through Aug, 28 in the Ross Gallery at Arts for Rural Texas, 114 N. Live Oak, Fayetteville. The exhibit is free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact ARTS at info@artsforruraltexas.org or by calling (979) 378- 2113.