Quaker Valley High School Artists Earn Recognition

Seven Quaker Valley High School seniors were recognized for outstanding artwork by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.

The nonprofit organization that recognizes teens for exceptional talent recently announced the Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Awards of 2013.

Senior Laura Schumacher was awarded a Gold Key for her portfolio. Ben Bartling, Molly Johnson, Megan Youngblood and Garrett Powell earned Silver Keys; and Colleen Barenick and Mathilda Savocchia received Honorable Mention.  
All seven seniors are enrolled in advanced placement studio art with Jeremy Pidhirny and Robin Russell, who called it "a remarkable achievement for young artists.” 

The award-winning artwork was selected from among about 2,100 submissions from Pittsburgh-area students.  The Pittsburgh Arts Region of the Alliance serves Allegheny and Butler County students in seventh through 12th grades. The program features 16 categories of art, including film and animation, video game design, sculpture, photography, fashion design, comic art and design as well as 11 writing categories that include poetry, journalism, short story and dramatic script.

The Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards were founded in 1923 to offer recognition and scholarships for students for their artistic talents. The awards has recognized and encouraged millions of students including Andy Warhol, Robert Redford, Zac Posen, Sylvia Plath, Joyce Carol Oates, Ken Burns, Truman Capote and others who won when they were teens. Students participate in the awards to earn recognition, get their work exhibited or published, and to earn scholarships. 

In the annual awards competition, student art works are evaluated by a panel of local jurors comprised of artists, art educators and other arts professionals.

Works submitted to the Pittsburgh Arts Region are evaluated on criteria of originality, technician skill and emergence of a personal vision.

Information provided by Quaker Valley School District. 

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