Oglebay Institute fosters and celebrates the talent and creativity of young artists. The 34th annual Regional Student Art Exhibition is on display at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center in Wheeling through February 10, 2023.
The exhibit provides high school students the opportunity to display their artwork in a professional gallery, see what other students are doing in the world of art and collaborate and get feedback from art teachers, college professors and other students from throughout the region. The show is part of Oglebay Institute’s art exhibition season, which is sponsored by United Bank.
A Dozen Schools from Three States, Seven Counties
Twelve high schools from three states and seven counties are represented in this year’s show. Schools include Bridgeport High School, John Marshall High School, Wheeling Central Catholic High School, Union Local High School, Martins Ferry High School, Bellaire High School, Wheeling Park High School, Brooke High School, West Allegheny High School, The Linsly School, River High School, and Oak Glen High School.
More than 200 pieces were submitted and 80 were selected for the exhibit after being juried by artist and educator Herb Weaver.
Award Winners
Best of Show: Rene Taiyrova, West Allegheny High School, for her watercolor work “The Most Ugly.”
Painting: First Place, DaVonte Smith, Bridgeport High School; Second Place Lucas Neel, Brooke High School; Third Place, Rachel Edinger, The Linsly School.
Drawing: First Place, Kassie Gorby, Oak Glen High School; Second Place, Kyree Noble, Union Local High School; Third Place, Roman DiMarzio, Brooke High School.
Mixed Media: First Place, Josh Van Horn, Brooke High School; Second Place, Austin Stoner, Union Local High School; Third Place: Brittany Myers, Brooke High School.
Photography: First Place, Paige Lochary, Union Local High School; Second Place, Abigail Craig, Bellaire High School; Third Place, Emma Blum, Wheeling Central Catholic High School.
Sculpture: First Place, Caroline Foster, Wheeling Central Catholic High School; Second Place, Zara Harveth, Bellaire High School; Third Place: Mia Clark, Martins Ferry High School.
Digital: First Place, Jessica Nissley, The Linsly School; Second Place, Sarah Dunfee, Bellaire High School; Third Place, Shyanna Reynolds, John Marshall High School.
Merit Awards: DaVonte Smith, Bridgeport High School; Kyleigh Leach, Union Local High School; Bailey Sebroski, John Marshall High School; Trista Regis, Martin’s Ferry High School.
Juror Herb Weaver
“It was both a pleasure and a challenge to view this impressive body of artwork representing an emerging group of creative youth in the area,” Weaver said in his juror’s statement. He added, “I left this experience truly inspired.”
When jurying the work, Weaver said that he “ultimately looked for a deeper investigation and meaning behind the artwork” along with “superior technical and compositional aspects as well as a meaningful application.”
Weaver has been an artist and art educator for four decades. Focusing on the medium of ceramic sculpture, his artwork intends to make statements about life circumstances, both whimsical and political. He has exhibited in more than 200 shows throughout the United States and abroad. His teaching career ranges from middle school, high school, and college positions. For many years he taught at Bethany College and West Liberty University.
Scholarships Awarded
Regional colleges also award scholarships each year in conjunction with Oglebay Institute’s Regional Student Art Exhibition. West Virginia University and Waynesburg University made scholarship offers to Josh Van Horn of Brooke High School. West Liberty University presented scholarships to Rene Taiyrova of West Allegheny High School and Trista Regis from Martins Ferry.
See this Show
The 34th Annual Regional Student Art Exhibition can be viewed free of charge now through February 10 at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center, 1330 National Road, Wheeling. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturdays. Evening hours are dependent on classes and special events taking place. For more information, visit www.oionline.com or call 304-242-7700.
The annual exhibit is open to students in grades 9-12 within a 50-mile radius of Wheeling. Award winners receive ribbons along with cash prizes.
Part of the nonprofit Oglebay Institute and housed in the historic Edemar Mansion, Stifel Fine Arts Center is a public arts center with galleries, classrooms, and performance space. Through year-round exhibits, classes, and special events, the Stifel Center serves as a gathering place for artists, emerging artists, art lovers, students, educators, and families – connecting and engaging the community in creative pursuits.