A number of Newtown High School students have earned honors for their works submitted for the Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards Exhibit and Awards Ceremony.

As announced by the Connecticut Art Education Association, Inc, and the Hartford Art Schools, the 26th Annual Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards Exhibit and Awards Ceremony features award-winning works from students in seventh through twelfth grades from throughout the state, according to a release from the Connecticut Art Education Association. The exhibit is on view at Hartford Art School’s Silpe Gallery in Taub Hall through February 6.

The Connecticut Regional Art Awards, an affiliate of The Alliance For Young Artists & Writers, recognizes the achievements of talented young artists, according to the release. Roughly 130 public, private, and parochial middle and high schools from throughout Connecticut participated in the awards. During two days of judging, the jurors selected about 665 pieces from the approximately 2,000 which were entered in categories ranging from ceramics and sculpture to painting, drawing, fashion, and digital art.

Newtown High School students named as award winners were recently announced by NHS teacher Carol Pelligra. The award-winning students and their submissions are: Halle Wilson, Ceramic Gold for “Silver Pitcher”; Elliot Gregory, Ceramics Gold award for “Rusty Bucket”; Emily Brinkmann, Mixed Media Gold for Horse” and Ceramics Silver for “Surrounded by Nature”; Sarah Braga, Ceramics Silver for “Ants”; Baxter Hankin, Drawing Silver for “Endless Perception”; and Mike Triantafilidis, Design Honorable Mention for “Behind the Blue.”

Gathered together at NHS on Monday, January 26, most of the students shared that when they learned of their accomplishments they were excited.

“I worked really hard on that piece and it came out exactly how I wanted it,” said Halle Wilson about her “Silver Pitcher” submission.

Emily Brinkmann, who earned two awards for her submissions, said she first heard of her Silver award then of her Gold award. She said the accomplishments were a “great way to end” her educational career at NHS.

Michael Triantafilidis said he was excited, happy, and surprised when he learned of his Honorable Mention, while Baxter Hankin said he was surprised to learn of his accomplishment, too.

Following the Connecticut Regional exhibit, Gold Key award winners from each national region will have their art works reviewed by a blue ribbon panel of judges at the national level. The selected national winners’ artworks will then be exhibited, with a national student awards ceremony following. Selected students will receive an invitation to this event.

The public can visit the show at the Silpe Gallery, 201 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, Monday through Friday from 9 am until 4 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from noon until 4 pm. More information about the gallery is available at its website, silpegallery.org.