Annual high school exhibit showcases dimensional art

For the second consecutive year, a student from Waterford School in Sandy won best of show in College of Eastern Utah’s fourth annual high school art competition being displayed from Nov. 7 through Dec. 7 in its campus’ Gallery East. The opening reception for the artists is from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16 in the gallery.
Jonnie Perkins won best of show for his ceramic “Armored Pot” and will take home $150 plus a scholarship offer. First place went to Sierra Waters of South Sevier High School for her mixed media “Misinterpret” drawing plus $125 and a scholarship offer; followed by second place, Michelle Dowdle of Timpanogos High School in Orem for her painting titled “Vagabond Shoes” plus $100 and a scholarship offer.
Another student from Timpanogos High School, Jordan Pueblo, placed third and will receive a $75 check for his photograph titled “Jeff.” Carbon High School’s Meagan Roach’s line drawing titled “Enjoy Coca Cola” won her a $50 check and a honorable mention.
Other students receiving a honorable mention and a $50 check included Timpanogos’ Cynthia Seethaler’s photograph titled “Watching Them Grow,” Waterford School’s Austin Jenson’s photograph “Choo! Choo!” and Waterford School’s Lauren Kidd’s ceramic piece titled “Meditating Budda.”
The CEU Bookstore Awards went to Grantville High School’s Brooke Parson for her digital photo titled “View of the Mouse” and Juab High School’s Ashli Allred for her painting titled “King of the Coop.”
CEU’s Gallery East Director, Cliff Bergera was excited with the work sent in by high school students from throughout the state of Utah. “We held our show earlier this year so as not to conflict with the university shows spring semester. We did not get as many ceramic entries, but got a lot of two-dimensional work. Some high schools have not fired their clay yet and therefore we did not get as much ceramic pieces as were juried in past years.”
“There is some really good work in the exhibit and I am pleased with the quality of art,” Bergera said.
He said there was so much work submitted that it barely fit on the walls of Gallery East. Also, he wanted to thank CEU’s administration for helping fund the cash awards and scholarships for the show each year.
The rules for the show allow each artist to submit up to two entries in any medium. This includes but is not limited to drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, graphic design, digital art, ceramics, sculpture, non-clothing textiles, jewelry, film/video and transmedia work. All work had to be created from Jan. 1, 2007 to Nov. 2, 2007. Students had to be between 14 and 18 years old to enter work and did not have to be registered in an art work to be eligible to submit work.
The exhibit is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free to the public. It is supported by CEU, the Utah Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.