Arts for Rural Texas Names Emerging Artists Winners

Arts for Rural Texas (ARTS) is delighted to announce the success of its annual Emerging Artists Competition and Exhibition, which happened on Saturday, August 3 at the ARTS Ross Gallery in Fayetteville. Young artists grades 6 – 12 were invited to showcase their creations for a chance to earn ribbons and cash prizes. This year, the competition received a recordbreaking number of submissions, with a grand total of 99 entries from 58 students.

The Emerging Artists Competition is graciously underwritten by Arne and Mary Le Johnson, with the wish that the show will encourage youth to seek creative and successful avenues of expression in their lives. ARTS believes in the importance of art experiences for children in rural communities. Engaging in art empowers children with valuable tools for self-expression and sets a strong foundation for their overall growth. Winners of the 2024 Emerging Artists Competition are:

Best in Show: Friday Night Lights Afterparty by Julia Pardy

6th Grade Winners:

First Place- Young Einstein by Gavrielle Footnick Second Place- Free Rollin’ by Gavrielle Footnick Third Place- Purple Beauty by Rylie Adams Honorable Mention- Pelican Stare Down by Rylie Adams

7th Grade Winners:

First Place- Hand Painted Feathers by Charlotte Schmidt

Second Place- El Ojo Triste by Angela Soto Third Place- Home of a Wasp by Penelope Paterson Honorable Mention-Rusty by Sean Rogers

8th Grade Winners:

First Place- Main Street by Vivian Daniel

Second Place- Succulent Serenity by Makenna Emmel Third Place- Our First Ride by Vivian Daniel Honorable Mention- Essence of Texas by Jaycee Zapalac

9th Grade Winners:

First Place- La Lumière by Batyah Footnick Second Place- Elegant Bird by Michelle Onianwa Third Place- Girl with Her Cockatiel by Michelle Onianwa Honorable Mention- Femininomenon by Bianca Carrillo

10th Grade Winners:

First Place- Bamboo Bandit by Olivia Dominey Second Place- First Dance by Lorelei Smith Third Place- Sunset Orange by Emma Koeth Honorable Mention- Sangre de Cristo Mountains by Paul Rogers IV

11th Grade Winners:

First Place- Buen Dia Con Edin by Katherine Inestroza Second Place- Glory Awaits by Brent Jones Third Place- The Color of Life by Nolan Dominey

Honorable Mention-Modern Cowboy by Parker Weishuhn

12th Grade Winners: First Place- Feastin’ South Texas Style by Julia Pardy Second Place- You and Me Always by Heily Mellado Third Place- Mother and Chick by Grace Moore Honorable Mention- Texas Capitol by Raynie McAlexander

The exhibition will be available for viewing until August 31. The ARTS Ross Gallery is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information, please visit www. artsforruraltexas.org, email artists@artsforruraltexas.org, or call (979) 378-2113.