REGIONAL STUDENT ART EXHIBITION OPEN AT STIFEL: WINNING ARTISTS ANNOUNCED

WHEELING, W.Va. (January 15, 2009)- - Local residents can view some of the finest student artwork from the area by visiting Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center where the Regional Student Art Exhibition is now open to the public.

For more than 20 years, this popular annual exhibition has showcased students’ artistic achievements and provided a foundation for continued creativity. The exhibit features art in all media and continues through February 13.

Eighty-nine entries were received this year from public and private high schools, and 12 winners were chosen in four categories: drawing, painting, photography and 3-D. A Best of Show Award was also given, and five works received honorable mentions. Nancy Tirone, professor of art education at West Liberty State College, juried the show.

Jessica Capp of Wheeling Park won Best of Show for her work “Sisters on the Lake.” Winning first place in drawing was Wheeling Central student Caiwei Yang for “Dutch.” First place in painting also went to Capp for “Autumn Still Life.” Michael Cutlip, from Avella High School in Pennsylvania received first place in photography for “Swing to the End.” First place in 3-D went Jenna Thomas, a student at Georgette’s Studio of Fine Art, for “Andy Warhol” A Head of His Time.”

Other winners are: Drawing, second place, Wheeling Park student Sophia Kayafas; third place, Linsly student Natalie Wagner. Painting: second place, Jenna Thomas, Georgette’s Studio of Fine Art; third place, Christine Gompers from Wheeling Central. Photography: second place, Jessica Robinson from Avella; third place Alicia Sproul, St. John Central. 3-D: second place, Sophia Kayafas, Wheeling Park; third place, Will Feisley, Wheeling Central.

Honorable mentions include: Caiwei Yang, Wheeling Central; Meredith Rohan, Georgette’s Studio of Fine Art, Shelby Nester, Union Local; Renee Britton, Union Local and Mary Ann Post, Avella.

All winning artists received ribbons. Prize money was awarded to the Best of Show and the top three artists in each category.

Oglebay Institute President Kathleen McDermott presented monetary awards to winning artists at the opening reception January 15. She congratulated the students for their dedication and talent; thanked the teachers for continuing to advocate the arts; and commended the parents for nurturing and encouraging creativity in their children.

The Regional Student Art Exhibition is just one of the attractions of the Stifel, which also includes a historic mansion with formal gardens. Hundreds of classes are taught throughout the year in both the art and dance studios.

Sponsored by United Bank of West Virginia, this exhibition can be viewed free of charge through February 15 in the Hart Galleries of the Stifel Fine Arts Center, located at 1330 National Road in Wheeling.

Part of the Helen B. Gaither Exhibition Season, this program was also made possible through the generous support of the members of the Institute as well as with financial assistance from the West Virginia Commission of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information, call 304.242.7700.