BROOKFIELD — A number of artwork pieces by Newtown students received awards in Brookfield Craft Center’s eighth annual Juried High School Student Art Exhibition, which showcased artwork by students from regional high schools.

The exhibition opened March 4 and will run through March 25. More than 140 students, from area towns, are displaying their work in a wide range of media including ceramics, painting, photography, and more. A reception and awards ceremony was conducted on March 11.

Brookfield Craft Center Gallery Manager Jillian Doherty announced that Newtown student Melissa Tagliarini received first place Painting Mixed Media for her piece, “To Master Your Own Destiny.” Additional Newtown students to place were Maren Leyva, third place Clay/Ceramics for “Quetzalcoatl;” Eva Barricelli, second place Drawing Single Media Portraits for “Vacant Symphony;” Malcolm Zimmerman, second place Drawing Mixed Media for “Untitled 2;” and Amelia Rivera, third place Wearable Art for “Armour.”

Artists were invited to participate by their schools, but specific art classes and programs were not required for consideration. A jury of noted community members, artists, and educators evaluated all the submissions and finalists in making the awards.

“We are excited to host this exhibition of young talent and impressive artists from our local schools,” said Executive Director Howard Lasser. “An important part of our mission is to engage more of our local community, and our youth programs are an essential piece of our future. We are honored to recognize these young artists and are excited about the response from our schools and amazed by the quality of the work submitted. I hope everyone comes out to see what our local students are creating.”

Jurors were Shannon Riley, Lisa Scroggins and Melissa Ralston-Jones.

The Student Exhibit runs through March 27 within BCC's Lynn Tendler Bignell Gallery, located at 286 Whisconier Road. Gallery hours are noon to 5 pm Tuesday through Friday; 11 am to 5 pm Saturday; and noon to 4 pm Sunday.

The gallery is also available to view online. Brookfield Craft Center can be reached for additional informaiton at 203-775-4526 or info@brookfieldcraft.org.

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Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.