CHANUTE, Kan. — The Neosho County Community College (NCCC) Art Department welcomed over 70 students from seven area high schools for the 1st Annual NCCC High School Art Day on Wednesday, March 26.
“I started this event because art shows like this are great experiences for students,” said Joe Summers, NCCC Art Instructor. “I wanted to welcome students to campus, get to know them, and really show them the art that we make and how much fun we have in the Art Department here at NCCC. It also gives us a chance to have a bit of friendly competition.”
Over 150 artworks were submitted for judging consideration by a panel of Charles Bishop (Chanute High School Art Instructor), Dr. Charity-Mika Woodard (Emporia State University Associate Professor of Art), and Brad Wine. Mediums presented included painting, photography, sculptures, and more. Competitions were also held in-person for sidewalk chalk and clay sculpting.
Student artwork was judged on an individual basis, and points were also awarded for team results.
Prairie View High School finished first overall, Chanute High School finished second, and Uniontown High School rounded out the team scoring in third place.
High School Art Day on March 26. (Photo Credit: NCCC)
The Best in Show Award was awarded to Melinzie Barnett of Prairie View High School, for her ceramic mug set titled “Spring’s First Bloom.”
Barnett, Kaylee Rhyerson of Prairie View High School, and Devon Kueser and Gracie Wheeler of Chanute High School were awarded NCCC Scholarships for winning Best in Show in the individual categories.
Wheeler was also awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Emporia State University during the event for her mixed media collage.
Larsen Koester, NCCC freshman and baseball player, also led high school students in pottery sessions on the department’s new pottery wheels. Bishop and Wine assisted students in glazing raku fire pots. Students also participated in a mixed media collage workshop hosted by Dr. Woodard, and a collaborative mural focused on robots.
“I am excited about next year’s event,” Summers said. “I am hoping to welcome even more schools to campus and have a much larger show next year. I would really like to see this grow to be the largest high school art contest in Kansas.”
See more photos from the High School Art Day.
About NCCC
NCCC is a two-year college located in Chanute, Kan., offering 40+ associate degree and certificate programs. NCCC serves 2,200+ students annually in Neosho, Franklin, and northern Anderson counties, and throughout eastern Kansas at two campuses, five outreach sites, and seven high schools. For more information, visit neosho.edu.
Sanders Hall during the 1st Annual NCCC High School Art Day on March 26. (Photo Credit: NCCC)
judging during the 1st Annual NCCC High School Art Day on March 26. (Photo Credit: NCCC)
