PHS students place at Exhibiting Excellence

Nine Perryville High School students were chosen to display artwork at Southeast Missouri State University’s 34th annual high school art exhibition called Exhibiting Excellence. They include (front, from left) Art instructor Flo White, Macy Schnurbusch, Kelsey Vernon, Nichole Stone, Falina Boyer and Ali Koenig. Back – Gabriel Aguirre, Cody Morrison, Matt Busch, Ashley Moll and art instructor Carolyn Hardaway.

Nine Perryville High School art students have earned the honor of exhibiting their work at Southeast Missouri State University's 34th annual high school art exhibition called Exhibiting Excellence. Two students have placed in the juried art show for which just 109 pieces were selected from this region.

"Each teacher was allowed to submit 15 student entries," explained Carolyn Hardaway, art instructor at PHS. She and art instructor Flo White each submitted the work of 15 students in grades 11-12 in categories that included sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, mixed media, photography, fibers, drawing or painting.

The exhibition opening was held Feb. 12 when it was announced that Matt Busch of PHS won second place in sculpture and Ashley Moll won third place in painting.

Students whose work is on display are Macy Schnurbusch, daughter of Jeff and Melinda Schnurbusch; Kelsey Vernon, daughter of Roger and Norma Vernon; Nicole Stone, daughter of Kathleen Cosby, Richard Weibrecht and Kevin Stone; Falina Boyer, daughter of Diane Boyer; Cody Morrison, son of Rodney Morrison and Susan Turner; Matt Busch, son of Patty and Rocky Busch; Ashley Moll, daughter of Tim and Cheryl Moll; Ali Koenig, daughter of Crystal Koenig and Doug and Cydney Koenig; and Gabriel Aguirre, a foreign exchange student from Mexico.

"We're very proud of all of our students," White said. "To have their work selected for this exhibit speaks of their talent. It's an honor for them to be included."

Hardaway encourages community members to visit the exhibit which remains open through March 11.

"I think you will be surprised to see the works of these young people," she said. "You may not think of high-school students as working at this level."

The exhibit is open in the Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum at Southeast's River Campus. The museum is located in the Cultural Arts Center at 518 S. Fountain St. Museum hours are 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday-Friday, and 1-4 pm on weekends. Admission is free.