Exhibit showcases area high school talent

Portraits of a man and his dog, sculptures and abstract figures, weavings and paintings were among the selections displayed at the 26th annual High School Art Symposium at Southeast Missouri State University.

Several noteworthy works from students at Central High School were among the best of show and finalist winners in the show.

All 84 pieces of art selected for entry in the show are on display through Feb. 22 at the Southeast Regional Museum in Memorial Hall on campus. More than 20 schools were represented in the show; awards were presented Sunday during a reception.

In the 26 years that Dr. Ed Smith has been coordinating the symposium, "it has taken some quirks and turns," but overall the show has been successful in introducing young artists to exhibits, shows and recruiting them to the university, he said.

"We have a lot of people around here who are coming to us because that's how they were first introduced," Smith said.

Art teachers in the region like the show because it gives their students a chance to see peers' work and to learn how to best display their pieces.

The schools also are getting more selective in what art they do send for the juried show, Smith said. More than 280 pieces were sent for consideration but only 84 were selected for display.

Each teacher could send up to 15 pieces from students in grades 11 and 12.

"The work is a higher quailty all the time," Smith said. "It's about improving the quality of the artwork and improving the presentation of that artwork. A painting, drawing or a print can be made or broken by the mat or frame it's placed in and so can a piece of sculpture. Instead of a base enhancing it, then it detracts and destroys the visual idea the artist was trying to get across."

An art education seminar for teachers is being planned for Feb. 25 at Glenn Auditorium in Dempster Hall on campus. Pamela Kugel-Rolls, an art teacher at Lesterville, Mo., schools, will speak at 7 p.m. about Fulbright Scholarships. Kugel-Rolls recently spent three weeks in Japan as part of a Fulbright award.

Having education seminars also encourages teachers in the region to take part in the show, Smith said. "A lot of teachers will bring busloads to see the show."

The university museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from noon to 4 p.m. on weekends.

Central High School winners were Megan McDonald and Bobbie Jones, drawing; Jessica Wilmarth and Chelsea White, painting; David Phanstiel, Landsay Pledger and Jessica Walmarth, printmaking; Jessica Huck and Heather Thomas, sculpture; Bobbie Jones, Jessica Huck, Aarica Grantham, Amber Branson, Sarah Riley-Land and Roquelle Beck, ceramics.

Heather Thomas was selected as an honorable mention winner for Best of Show and received a $1,500 university scholarship. She also was commissioned by the university art department to design the poster promoting next year's symposium.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126