It may have been the 30th annual High School Art Exhibition, but it was the first show for many of the artists, all of them juniors and seniors from area high schools.

Each art teacher at schools in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois was able to submit 15 pieces of art from their school. That could mean one piece from 15 different students or 15 pieces from just one student, according to Chris Wubbena, an assistant art professor at Southeast Missouri State University, who coordinated the show.

"Cape Central, Perryville, Notre Dame, Scott County, Bell City, Jackson, Oran, Puxico," Wubbena counted off his list of schools with art in the show.

Self portraits and vibrant photography adorned the walls and the room was scattered with sculptures and ceramics.

"It gives you chills to see all the art and these young people with so much talent," said Joyce Hunter, whose niece had a painting in the show.

Southeast's art department accepts the work and hires a juror to decide which pieces make it into the show. This year's juror was Alyssia Ruggiero, Ph.D, an assistant professor in art education at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Wubbena said they wanted someone with an educational perspective. Ninety pieces of art, from paintings to prints to fibers, hung on the walls of the Crisp Museum and sat in cases around the room. The museum will display the art through Feb. 23. Admission is free.

"I don't think they've had a venue as nice as this," Hunter said.

With all the lights and positioning of the art, she said, "It really makes you feel like you're on the arts scene."

Emily Dietl, Hunter's niece and a senior at Jackson High School, won an honorable mention for her painting.

This painting by Morgan Henley of Jackson won best of show at the High School Art Exhibit.

"This is big for her," said her father, Bob Dietl. "To us, every day is just another school day, but when she brought that home, we were floored."

Arguably, the most excitement could come from Morgan Henley from Jackson High School. Her painting won Best in Show and a corresponding $1,500 scholarship to major in art at Southeast. The Merit Award and a $1,000 scholarship went to Jodi Urhahn from Oran High School.

Central High School art teacher Judy Barks-Westrich said the entire process is a learning experience for the students. Having work judged and possibly rejected is just part of an artist's life.

Wubbena said he hopes the show gives students confidence in their work and helps them see that they can be successful, and "the other thing is to encourage teachers," he said.

Often, art teachers are underfunded and struggle to motivate students, he said. "We really want to celebrate both the students and the teachers."

charris@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246

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Art winners

Winners from the 30th annual High School Art Exhibition:Ceramics

First Place: Shaneakwa Bozeman, Central High School

Second Place: Natalie Metzger, Central High School

Third Place: Amber Blissett, Scott County

Honorable Mention: Josephine Clay, Central High School

Drawing

First Place: Aaron Goodson, Jackson

Second Place: Jessica Lewis, New Madrid

Third Place: Deanna Dippold, Saxony

Honorable Mention: Taylor Spencer, Dexter

Honorable Mention: Emily Thompson, Jackson

Honorable Mention: Jessica Lewis, New Madrid

Fibers

First Place: Ricky Harrington, Notre Dame

Second Place: Cassie Graviett, Oran

Third Place: Kala Longman, Notre Dame

Honorable Mention: Leah Hughey, Notre Dame

Honorable Mention: Abi Messmer, Notre Dame

Painting

First Place: Jessica Banda, Notre Dame

Second Place: Kat Maddock, Central High School

Third Place: Tori Counts, Bismark

Honorable Mention: Rachel Borders, Campbell

Honorable Mention: Emily Dietl, Jackson

Honorable Metnion: Dylan Harris, New Madrid

Photography

First Place: Tina Johnson, Central High School

Second Place: Bethany Parry, Jackson

Third Place: Jackie Twidwell, Central High School

Printmaking

First Place: Brian Jackson, Kennett

Second Place: Natalie Metzger, Central High School

Third Place: Nick Crump, Scott City

Honorable Mention: Whitney Tapley

Sculpture

First Place: Candice Corgan, Scott City

Second Place: Aaron Hannamtree, Central High School

Third Place: Austin Kight, Bell City

Honorable Mention: Ratko Radojcic', Central High School