More than 100 pieces on display for 32nd annual High School Art Exhibition

The creative process has its ups and downs for Catherine Concho.

"I despise my work the entire time I do it until the very end," said Concho, a senior at Cape Girardeau Central High School.

She said she draws feedback from friend Ashley Sexton throughout projects. Sexton, also a senior, said she does the same.

Both the students have a positive result for all their work and feedback. Concho and Sexton's artwork was admitted to the 32nd annual High School Art Exhibition. Out of 226 entries, 102 were admitted to the juried show.

"It's always nice to have someone else say they like your pieces," Sexton said.

Every year art teachers across the region narrow down a year's work and pick up 15 submissions for the exhibition.

"Most of the time I concentrate on my advanced senior art students first," said Judy Barks-Westrich, an art teacher at Central. She said she also tries to submit a mixture of pieces throughout the seven categories.

The art show, which opens Sunday, is sponsored by Crisp Museum and the Department of Art at Southeast Missouri State University.

"This is the only one of its caliber, so to speak, in our area," Barks-Westrich said.

Participating schools include Central, Jackson, Notre Dame Regional High School, Saxony Lutheran High School and Scott City. Districts as far north as Perryville and Bismarck and as far south as New Madrid and Kennett also sent entries.

The artist who wins best of show will receive a $1,500 scholarship to study art at Southeast.

Saxony art teacher Brenda Seyer said she takes her students on a field trip to see the exhibit. She said it helps them grow as artists because they can see the type of work other students their age create.

"That is a really great motivator to encourage them to think and dream," she said.

There will be a public reception and awards ceremony for the artists at Crisp Museum from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The exhibit will be on display until March 7.

abusch@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

518 S. Fountain St. Cape Girardeau, MO