NHS Students Win

At Connecticut Level Of Scholastic Art Awards

Newtown High School students have earned four Gold Awards and one Silver Award at the state level of the National Scholastic Art Awards.

Valeria Ramon earned a Gold Award and Best in Ceramics Class Scholarship (Group II) for her piece “Nuestro Pasado es Nuestro Futuro.” Valerai also earned a Silver Award in Fashion for her piece, “A Face Within.”

Victoria Braga also earned a Gold Award and Best in Ceramics Class Scholarship (Group II) for her piece called “Margay.”

In addition, Lauren O’Connell earned a Gold Award in Ceramics for her piece called “Rainbow Parrott Fish,” and Sara Hill earned a Gold Award in Ceramics for her piece called “Rhino.”

News of the honors reached Newtown High School art teacher Carol Pelligra the day after the pieces were judged. Ms Pelligra is the teacher for ceramics, while Diane Dutchick is Valeria’s teacher for fashion.

“I was extremely proud of the students,” said Ms Pelligra, “and it’s going to be tough to keep up this level.”

The Connecticut Scholastic Art Awards is an affiliate of the National Scholastic Art Awards and The Alliance For Young Artists and Writers. The national program was originated in 1927 to honor the creative efforts of grade 7 to 12 students in public, private and parochial schools, according to a release of the event.

Top award Gold Key winners from each national region will have their art works reviewed by a blue ribbon panel of judges at the national level in March. Select national winners will also have their work exhibited in New York City during June. The national awards ceremony will be held at Carnegie Hall in mid- June. Select students will receive an invitation to this event.

“Celebrating the Creative Spirit of Connecticut Youth” is the theme of the Connecticut exhibition. Connecticut sponsors are Connecticut Art Education Association, Inc. and The Hartford Art School at University of Hartford, who emphasize that the purpose of the program is not merely a competition of sorts, but a recognition and encouragement of talented students across the state.

The 2011 Scholastic Art Awards exhibition features select work from over 140 participating schools. A panel of 30 judges — artists, university faculty and professionals in the field — selected from over 1,700 total art entries in Connecticut. The judges decided to put 663 works on exhibit. Of that number, there were 212 Gold Key Awards (including 88 Gold Portfolios), 155 Silver Keys and 296 Honorable Mention awards.

Connecticut’s exhibition is at The Silpe Gallery at Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Avenue in West Hartford. The artwork will be on display until February 4. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm; and noon to 5 pm on weekends. For more information about the exhibit call 860-768-4827. 

The Connecticut Awards Presentation will be held on Sunday, January 30, from 2 to 3:30 pm, at Lincoln Theater, on the campus of University of Hartford.