Students selected for Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition

Nine Tuscarawas County high school students are representing their schools in the 56th Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition, an event celebrating the artistic and educational achievements of young artists across the state.

This year’s exhibition, which is open to all of Ohio’s 1,112 high schools, highlights talent nurtured within the state and Tuscarawas County’s educational system. Students from public, private and chartered high schools had the opportunity to showcase their artwork in a statewide competition that also offers scholarships and recognition.

Tuscarawas County students earned a place in the competitive exhibition, which is dedicated to providing young artists with the opportunity to further their artistic skills. Among the featured students are those from Indian Valley High School and Dover High School. The 12 selected works from Tuscarawas County students reflect the artistic talent and dedication fostered in local classrooms. The works will be featured in the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition and the Cameo Art Show at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

The following students are represented in the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition from Indian Valley High School: Olivia Bamfield, digital art; Ashlynn Bolon, two digital art pieces; Kayden Edwards, digital art; and Alexie Menefee, fashion series of two. Dover High School is represented by Greyson Yackey, photography, and Victor Oxlaj-Pastor, printmaking.

Indian Valley also had students selected for the Cameo Art Show at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Those students are Kayden Atha, fibers; Ashlynn Bolon, painting and painting series of five; Bella Cunningham, sculpture; and Melody Sprowl, painting.

Before state judging, the selected works went through a regional judging process. The judges for this year were John Drubel, Tom German and Stephanie Space. Works not selected for the state shows will be displayed at the Region 10 Art Show, taking place at the Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts from March 30 through April 15, with a closing reception April 15 at 6 p.m.

Tuscarawas County students with Region 10 selections were:

Dover: Beatrice Abbott, Jaxson Anslow, Barrett Evans, Jack Judkins, Maeve Lawrence, Lyela Miller, Kale Oswald, two; Carson Peoples, Victor Oxlaj-Pastor, two; and Greyson Yackey, two.

Indian Valley: Kayden Atha, Olivia Bamfield, two; Ashlynn Bolon, five; Rylee Brown, two; Chloe Clark, Bella Cunningham, Mia Devore, Kayden Edwards, Aubrey Elliott, two; Leila Green, Lilly Lefler, Alexie Menefee, two; Haylie Menefee, two; Melody Sprowl, three; Violet Steele, two; Ginna Thornton; and Cass Wright.

New Philadelphia: Brennen Hostetler, three; Kenley Johns, Mackenzie Mason and Lydia Stocker.

In addition to the individual student accomplishments, local art educators played a pivotal role in the success of these students selected at both the state and regional levels. The following teachers helped guide their students to this recognition: Dover High School’s Keri Stratton; Indian Valley High School’s Sara Dittfeld; and New Philadelphia’s Heather Agar and Stephanie Speedy. Dittfeld also serves as the Region 10 director for the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition.

For those interested in experiencing the region’s artwork firsthand, the Region 10 show at the Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts offers an opportunity to support these young artists and celebrate their creative achievements.

Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts is located at 461 Robinson Ave. SE, New Philadelphia.