43
CHS art students recognized with art show awards
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield High School senior Elizabeth Vallas’ piece “No Signal” earned her second place and the District Award at the Mahoning County Student Art Show.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield High School senior Maggie Stanko’s piece “Strange Sightseeing in Pittsburgh” earned her the Best of Show in the Mahoning County Student Art Show.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Sixteen Canfield High School art students earned a total of 22 awards at this year’s Mahoning County Student Art Show, sponsored by the Mahoning County Educational Service Center. Awards included Best of Show, six first place awards, five second place awards, four third place awards and six honorable mentions. Winners were, from left, (front) Maggie Stanko, Gina Cerimele, Gabby Meyer, Jillian Lemmo, Moira Lumsden, Theresa Mikolya; (back) Megan Factor, Sarah Blystone, Bonnie Anderson, Haley Holt, Tara Rogers, Elena Merhaut and Jenny McClune. Missing from photo are Bailey Brocker, Nagmita Shrestha and Elizabeth Vallas.
Photo
Neighbors | Submitted.Canfield High School junior Bonnie Anderson (left) was awarded a National Silver Medal from the 2014 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and took first place in the Mahoning County Student Art Show, while senior Elizabeth Vallas (center) earned second place and the District Award at the Mahoning County Student Art Show and senior Maggie Stanko won Best of Show at the Mahoning County Student Art Show.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield High School junior Bonnie Anderson’s piece “Stitching” earned her a National Silver Medal from the 2014 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and first place in the Mahoning County Student Art Show.
By ABBY SLANKER
Sixteen Canfield High School art students earned a total of 22 awards at the 2014 Mahoning County Student Art Show, sponsored by the Mahoning County Educational Service Center. Awards included Best of Show, six first place awards, five second place awards, four third place awards and six honorable mentions. The show will be hosted from 6-7:30 p.m. May 7 at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center.
The students are taught by Canfield High School art teachers Kevin Hoopes and Kate Antal.
“Strange Sightseeing in Pittsburgh” by senior Maggie Stanko won Best of Show at the Mahoning County Student Art Show, while “Stitching” by junior Bonnie Anderson took first place, and “No Signal” by senior Elizabeth Vallas earned second place and the District Award.
Rounding out the winners were senior Gina Cerimele, senior Gabby Meyer, senior Jillian Lemmo, sophomore Moira Lumsden, sophomore Theresa Mikolya, senior Megan Factor, junior Sarah Blystone, senior Haley Holt, junior Tara Rogers, sophomore Elena Merhaut, sophomore Jenny McClune, freshman Bailey Brocker and junior Nagmita Shrestha.
Stanko, daughter of William and Beth Stanko, was surprised at her win.
“I did not expect this at all. It came out of nowhere. I am very thankful and honored to have been chosen Best of Show,” Stanko said.
Her painting, “Strange Sightseeing in Pittsburgh,” is an oil on canvas and Stanko was drawn to her subject.
“I knew I had to go see it. I took a picture of it and it came out great and I knew I had to paint it,” Stanko said.
Stanko also credits Hoopes with her success.
“I didn’t know how capable I was artistically until my junior year during Art II. Mr. Hoopes has helped a lot. He is a very good teacher and I give him a lot of credit. He gives good pointers, which are short and sweet, without taking control of the painting. He points you in the direction where you want to go. He helps you make the best of your ideas. If it’s weak, he helps make it a strong idea,” Stanko said.
Hoopes also gave Stanko some high praise.
“Maggie is a very hard worker and has come a long way. I am very pleased with how far she has come. She had an interest in art, but wasn’t really passionate about it. She really turned it on in Advanced Art,” Hoopes said.
Stanko said her interest in art is here to stay.
“Art is definitely a hobby of mine and it is in the mix as I decide my future,” she said.
Vallas was thrilled to learn of her two awards for her piece “No Signal.”
“It is an absolutely amazing feeling to be recognized for something that I love so much, and I’m just so astounded by it. I have held an interest is art since seventh-grade, and it’s something I’ve been able to develop through my spare time and through my school’s amazing art department,” Vallas said.
Vallas’ piece is mixed media, consisting of acrylic, chalk pastel, cut paper and poster board.
“I really put my heart into this piece, and I’m so glad someone else was able to see that. It’s not about winning awards for me, but it’s still a really gratifying feeling,” Vallas said.
Vallas will attend Kent State University’s College of Communications and Information to major in Visual Communications.
Not only did CHS junior Anderson, daughter of Brad and Toni Anderson, take first place in the Mahoning County Student Art Show for her mixed media self portrait piece “Stitching,” but she also was awarded a National Silver Medal from the 2014 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. A ceremony for the winners will take place in June in New York City at Carnegie Hall.
“I am amazed and honored to have won amongst all those talented artists. It feels cool to be a winner,” Anderson said of her National Silver Medal. “I am looking at art as a career and am planning on going to art school. I have loved art since I was little.”
Anderson was just as pleased with her first place win at the Mahoning County Student Art Show.
“It’s really, really cool and exciting. I think I get my artistic ability from my dad. My mom is also creative, hardworking and talented. I have a very supportive family and they are very happy and proud of me,” Anderson said.
Hoopes is also proud of his student, who will take his AP drawing class next year.
“Bonnie’s piece is unique. Not only is it drawn really well, but it is nice style-wise. There is personality being communicated. There is an idea there that might not be clear, but that is what separates artwork. It goes beyond just great drawing. When students can convey an idea and, as an artist, communicate something, that’s what makes the difference. And this piece does just that,” Hoopes said.
To wrap up their school year, the Canfield High School Art Department will host its own art show from 6-9 p.m. May 21-22 in the high school gym. Music students will be on hand to provide background music May 21. The department welcomes donations to help offset the cost of the show. Anyone interested in donating may contact Hoopes or Antal at the high school at 330-533-5507.