LIMA, OH (WLIO) - ArtSpace-Lima hosted the 37th annual Kewpee High School Art Invitational on Thursday night, showcasing the work of student artists from 18 area high schools.

Local high school artists showcase talent at Kewpee High School Art Invitational

Students submitted artwork in nine mediums, including ceramics, drawing, and painting, to be judged and exhibited.

Students submitted artwork in nine mediums, including ceramics, drawing, and painting, to be judged and exhibited. Awards were given to the top three pieces in each category, as well as an overall Best of Show and the Dr. Sullivan Award. For many young artists, having their work displayed in a public exhibition is a significant achievement.

"I feel really happy that I have my stuff in here. It's like definitely hard to get in. I know a bunch of my friends entered stuff, and they didn't get anything in. So it just makes me feel kind of happy, proud," said Ian Knott, a junior from Bryan City Schools.

"It's really valuable to me because I want to pursue art as a passion of mine. I'm going to ONU for art education, and I volunteer at ArtSpace, so it's really cool seeing my work in the facility that I get to volunteer at and help around," said Hayley Chambers, third-place sculpture winner from Lima Central Catholic.

Local high school artists showcase talent at Kewpee High School Art Invitational

For many young artists, having their work displayed in a public exhibition is a significant achievement.

The exhibit will be open at ArtSpace-Lima through April 11.

Winners in this year's exhibit are:

  • Best of Show—Elizabeth Culver, Bryan

  • Dr. Sullivan Award—Willow East, Fort Jennings

Digital Media Awards: 

  • 1st Place—Truett Diller, Bluffton

  • 2nd Place—Lillianna Swinehart, Shawnee

  • 3rd Place—Asa Clingerman, Bluffton

Sculpture Awards: 

  • 1st Place—Anna Averesch, Pandora Gilboa

  • 2nd Place—Aiden Lee, Wayne Trace

  • 3rd Place—Hayley Chambers, Lima Central Catholic

Ceramics Awards: 

  • 1st Place—Nate Ridgway, Bryan

  • 2nd Place—Nick Lovett, Bluffton

  • 3rd Place—Alexis Geise, Fort Jennings

Painting Awards: 

  • 1st Place—Kenidee Morgan, Shawnee

  • 2nd Place—Gillian Davies, Bryan

  • 3rd Place—Nanci Waterston, Bryan

Drawing Awards: 

  • 1st Place—Avery Ruhe, Miller City-New Cleveland

  • 2nd Place—Caleb Mansfield, Ottoville

  • 3rd Place—Quintyn Smith, Hicksville

Printmaking Awards: 

  • 1st Place—Luke Stouffer, Wayne Trace

  • 2nd Place—Kiera Cash, Ada

  • 3rd Place—Emilee Jones, Bath

Assemblage Awards: 

  • 1st Place—Ayla Tabler, Ada

  • 2nd Place—Sanaa Khandakani, Shawnee

  • 3rd Place—Brock Liechty, Bath

Jewelry Awards: 

  • 1st Place—Eric Fisher, Lima Senior

  • 2nd Place—Alana Hylton, Lima Senior

  • 3rd Place—Lyla Rosas, Shawnee

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