Douglas High School Spring Art Show tonight features scholastic art award winners and more

The outstanding art department of Douglas High School has a lot to be proud of with 20 awards to students from the ceramics class of Kelly Yost and the art class of Nancy Bargman placing in the top three winning categories of the Northern Nevada Region Scholastic Art Awards in April.

The first year for Yost to have her students enter they won four out of nine Gold Key Awards, the top award. Gold Key Awards went to Nicole De Rosa for "The Bird's Nest Mug," Krista Noone for "Short Stack," Carrie Peck for "Opalescent Tea" and Ali Witteman with "Frappucino Bank." Out of eight Silver Key Awards, three went to Harmony Bennington for "Running On," Jessi Chitwood for "Yoshi" and Leah Heinan with "Sweet Tart Breakfast Set." Honorable mentions were awarded to Judith Ryan for "Phoenix" and Ali Witteman with "Nothing to Do," out of 15 recipients of that award.

In the drawing category, Bargman's students made an outstanding showing as well with Niles Crow receiving the Gold Key Award for his piece he titled "Faded Jade." Two Silver Key Awards went to Lisa Shoemaker, one for "Old Man" and a second award for "Young Woman." Richard Herrera received a Silver Key Award for his oil painting titled "A Wonderful Still Life" and honorable mentions were presented to Niles Crow for "Looking for Elvis" and to Logan Lucky for his piece, "Texture Study" as well as Lisa Shoemaker for "Timid Girl."

In sculpture, another one of Bargman's students, Katie O'Neil received a Gold Key Award for her piece she called "Indian Girl."

Honorable mentions were also awarded in the mixed media category to Danny Judd for his piece "Collage Impression" and Taylor Sherwood for "Portrait." Mary Kay Kalusa's photography student, Nicholas Joyce received an honorable mention for his submission "Shiny Ball."

The Northern Nevada Region Scholastic Art Awards competition is open to art students, grades seven through 12 from the 13 Northern Nevada Counties of Washoe, Storey, Douglas, White Pine, Elko, Churchill, Lyon, Pershing, Eureka, Humbolt, Lander and Mineral. All of the winners were honored at an award winners ceremony which took place April 8 at the Nevada Museum of Art located at 160 W. Liberty in Reno where the Gold Key Award entries will be on display until May 21.

All of the Gold Key works will be forwarded on to New York for national level competition. Out of 200,000 regionally submitted works nationally, 1,200 are given gold and silver awards with 800 individual works of art receiving The American Visions Award where each region nominates five works from any individual category for consideration. From these five works, one is selected. Douglas High School's Niles Crow was one of the recipients of the American Visions Award.

Douglas High School will be hosting their Spring Art Show tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. in the DHS Media Center. This event will showcase all of the outstanding arts from the DHS students. From 6-7 p.m. the jazz band will perform. From 7-7:30 p.m. the award-winning Madrigals will entertain followed by dramatic interpretations from 7:30-8:30, video/short films and an open mic invitation to students to play or sing from 8:30-9 p.m. Artwork (pottery, drawing/painting, graphic art and photography) will be on display throughout the library, which will include some of the award-winning pieces from the Scholastic Art Awards Competition. This event is free and open to the public.

Organizers ask residents to show your support to all of our gifted students at Douglas High School and attend the event.