More than 100 pieces of art created by local high school students are on display as part of the “Here I Am” student exhibition at the Thames Art Gallery.
Running until Aug. 11, the initiative showcases the work of some 70 students from four different secondary schools.
At the opening reception June 21, six students were recognized for their creative achievements. In addition to a trio of People’s Choice awards, two awards of excellence and one scholarship for a student planning to study the arts post secondary were presented.
The first People’s Choice award, donated by gallery advisory member Clair Culliford, went to Halle DeJonge, a Grade 10 student attending Chatham-Kent Secondary School. The second, donated by gallery advisory committee chair Michael M. Garland, went to Makenna Mifflin, a John McGregor Secondary School Grade 10 student, and the third, donated by Vicki McFarland, was awarded to Lucy Thrift, a Grade 12 student attending CKSS.
Two awards of excellence, both donated by McFarland, were also handed out. The first went to Grade 12 John McGregor Secondary School student Laila Steward, with the second going to Scarlett Koole, a Grade 11 student at CKSS.
Quinn Stoner, who is graduating from Ursuline College Chatham, received a $1,000 scholarship as she is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Windsor. The scholarship was donated by Cathy Van Raay-Myers.
The gallery is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
