Jun 24, 2021
Nearly 100 young artists from across the region showcased their talent in the first-ever virtual presentation of the Middle-High School Juried Art Exhibition, held annually by the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. 缅北强奸.
Due to COVID-19 safeguards in place on campus, the Quick Center could not host its juried art exhibitions this year. They went digital instead. Everything was done virtually, from the submission of artwork to the display of selected pieces and the presentation
of awards.
鈥淥verseeing our annual juried art exhibitions for school students is one of the favorite parts of my job,鈥 said Sean Conklin, the Quick Center鈥檚 assistant curator and museum educator. 鈥淲hen the pandemic forced the closing of campus
to visitors, it was upsetting to think that we wouldn鈥檛 be able to run the exhibitions this museum season.鈥
Thanks to a Building Capacity, Creating Sustainability, Growing Accessibility grant Conklin secured through the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Museum Association of New York, however, the Quick Center acquired the tools and applications
needed to hold the exhibitions virtually.
In addition to having their worked displayed in the virtual exhibition, students could provide a biography and additional images for an exhibition catalog. There were also artist prize packs containing an award, reproductions of the student鈥檚 artwork
to share with loved ones, and art supplies to encourage them to continue creating. When possible, Quick Center staff presented prize packs to students in their school art rooms via Zoom as a way to further celebrate their accomplishments.
鈥淚t was a lot of work, but the thanks and support we received from parents, administrators and teachers for recognizing their students鈥 creative endeavors during this pandemic has been absolutely amazing. It鈥檚 proof of what a positive
impact the arts have on students鈥 mental and emotional well-being and how immensely necessary they are in the curriculum,鈥 said Conklin.
The student exhibitions are an annual source of inspiration, said Quick Center Director Ludwig Brunner.
鈥淚t is always astonishing when the artwork arrives from so many schools in our surrounding districts. This year, again, it was very difficult for the judges to select the prize winners from such exceptional submissions,鈥 he said. 鈥淜udos
to all the young artists, and thanks to their families and art teachers for supporting them.鈥
In the high school exhibition, Best in Show awards went to:
- Sharee Armstrong, Salamanca High School
- Lily Foster, Cassadaga Valley High School
- Maggie Sischo, Cassadaga Valley High School
Each was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to attend St. 缅北强奸, a professional artist portfolio, and art supplies.
Best in Category awards were presented to:
- Best in Drawing/Printmaking: Megan Jones, Kane High School
- Best in Painting: Mackenzey Holmes, Pioneer High School
- Best in Photography/Collage/Digital Art: Em Ensell, Allegany-Limestone High School
- Best in Sculpture/Ceramics: Emma Barkley, Pioneer High School
In the middle school exhibition, Best in Show honors went to:
- Brooke Voorhees, Oswayo Valley Middle School
- Ella Rogers, Pioneer Middle School
- Leah Kiel, Allegany-Limestone Middle School
Participating in the exhibition were students from the following New York and Pennsylvania schools: Allegany-Limestone Middle and High School, Andover Central School, Austin Area School District, Bolivar-Richburg Central School, Cassadaga Valley
High School, Cattaraugus-Little Valley High School, Coudersport Junior-Senior High School, Clymer Central School, Frewsburg Central School, Genesee Valley Central School, Kane High School, Olean High School, Olean Intermediate Middle School,
Oswayo Valley High School, Oswayo Valley Middle School, Pioneer Middle and High School, Portville Central School, Randolph Central School, and Salamanca High School.
To view the exhibition鈥檚 digital catalog, visit the
Quick Center website and click on the 鈥淎rts Education鈥 link.
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This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [CAGML-246991-OMLS-20].