Award winners Emily Vilella, Kim Mitstifer, Carrie Myers and Alex Neidig

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Students from area high schools received awards for their art in a recent awards ceremony February 24 at Lock Haven University. The ceremony was part of the opening reception for a juried exhibit of works by students from Williamsport Area High School, South Williamsport Area High School, Central Mountain Area High School and Jersey Shore Area High School.

Brooke Long of Central Mountain Area H.S. earned Best in Show honors for her work entitled “This Is Me.”

First Place awards went to Carrie Myers of Williamsport Area H.S. (“Kraken,” three-dimensional art) and Marcia Kerschner of Central Mountain Area H.S. (“Foot Work,” two-dimensional art).

Earning Honorable Mentions were Madalyn Smith, Jersey Shore Area H.S. (“Elephant,” sculpture); Christina Lauer, Jersey Shore Area H.S. (“Sunflower,” arts & crafts); Kim Mitstifer, Williamsport Area H.S. (“Carry Us Away,” painting); Amber Fink, Jersey Shore Area H.S. (“Printed Bargello Quilt Collage,” printmaking); Emily Vilella, Williamsport Area H.S. (“Graveyard Photograph,” photography); Melissa Shank, Central Mountain Area H.S. (“River Walk,” drawing); Cody Hill, Central Mountain Area H.S. (“Why So Serious?” drawing); Carmen Lebby, Williamsport Area H.S. (“Magic,” pottery); Amy Burk, Williamsport Area H.S. (“Fish Bowl,” ceramics); Amanda Jameson, Jersey Shore Area H.S. (“Faith, Family, Friends,” mixed-media); and Alex Neifig, Williamsport Area H.S. (“Summer Harvest,” new media).

Jason Bronner, associate professor of art, stated that he was “extremely impressed with the quality of the student work submitted.” Bronner said he “looks forward to the possibility to having these students in his classes at Lock Haven University.”

Artist and art instructor Randy S. Baker was the juror for the exhibit. “The judging process on this show was difficult,” he said. “So many works, outstanding talent and skill added to the vast diversity of the works made it almost overwhelming.” He went on to say, “There are numerous good works and a talent pool that each school and each artist who submitted to the show should be proud of. Congratulations to all the participants and to the awardees. It was my pleasure and honor to see the works of the next generation of artists and participate in the show.”

Baker earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Lock Haven University. He is currently working toward his Masters degree in Sculpture and Ceramics as a dual major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is the Graduate Assistant in Sculpture and the Graduate Assistant the IUP Museum Art Collection working under Michael Hood, Dean of the College of Fine Arts.

The juried art show runs through March 21 in the Sloan Fine Arts Gallery.