Emerging artists showcased at Junior Art Awards ceremony at Festival of Arts
Story by DIANNE RUSSELL
Photos by Jeff Rovner
On Sunday at the Festival of Arts, the Junior Art Exhibit Awards ceremony proved a young artist’s observation that, “art is the colors and textures of your imagination.” The imagery and creativity of these award winners took varied and unique forms, representing two-dimensional art, three-dimensional art, digital and graphic design, and photography. After touring the Junior Art gallery, it was evident that there are many talented up-and-coming artists in Orange County.
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Awaiting presentation
Since its inception in 1947, the Junior Art Exhibit has come to be regarded as one of the highlights of the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show. Selected by art authorities from thousands of submissions representing schools throughout Orange County, works by over 300 students (PK-12) are on display in the Junior Art Gallery.
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Junior Art Exhibit winners and presenters
Winners were presented with gold, silver, and bronze medals as well as certificates of appreciation. A jury made up of Mark Porterfield, Steve Chadma, Emma Patton, Pat Sparkuhl, and Stephanie Cunningham selected first, second, and third place winners from the Orange County students’ incredible works of art on display.
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Pre-K second place winner Talia Coelrubi for “Menorah” – posing with her mother
The exhibit has become not only a showcase for new generations of young Orange County student artists, but also a testimonial to the value and importance of continuing arts education in our school systems. The 2019 Junior Art Exhibit is sponsored in part by California First National Bank and Mark Porterfield of Laguna Beach. It is a collaboration of the FOA Board of Directors and the Orange County Department of Education.
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Devan Brajevich for “Perspective” – Second Place, grade 11
President of the FOA Board of Directors David Perry welcomed the crowd and congratulated the bright talented artists and artists to be. “Since the first Junior Art Exhibit, it was a hit and continues to be a highlight of the Festival. Thanks to the parents, staff, and teachers and California First National Bank.”
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(L-R) Winners Molly Manser, First Place, second grade, “The Red Flower,” and Olivia Herrera, Third Place, Pre-K, “Love Pig” were chosen to have their works made into postcards (with Leslie Jewett and David Perry)
Three former Junior Art exhibitors have come full circle: Watercolorist Molly Hutchings, oil painter Anthony Salvo, and photographer Cheyne Walls remember their first showings in the Junior Art Exhibit many years back, and this summer, they’re all featured exhibitors in the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show.
Anthony Salvo, who is in his third year of exhibiting – and still has the wood block print shown in the Junior Art Exhibit – said to the upcoming artists, “Your talent is a gift, not everyone can do what you do.”
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(L-R) Mark Porterfield, Leslie Jewett, Bri Harb, and David Perry with two students. A special collaborative award was presented to Bri Harb’s 5th grade class and The Sounds of Color Studio in Irvine for their group piece entitled “Emotions & Feelings.”
In addition to Porterfield and Perry, presenters included Leslie Jewett, who is the Chief Financial officer of California First National Bank and a co-sponsor of Junior Art Exhibition with Porterfield. She is also a Laguna Beach resident.
The artwork by Orange County students, grades PK-12, never ceases to inspire with its originality and evidence of emerging talents. This year was no exception.
Congratulations to all the winners!
For a complete list of the award winners, click here.
“Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere”
… Albert Einstein
For more photos by Jeff Rovner, see slideshow below:
