By Jessica Dillon
Patrick & Henry Community College hosted its 29th annual art show May 7 in the Walker Fine Arts Building. During the event, nine students received awards, and additional students displayed artwork created throughout the academic year.
Best in Show was awarded to Roslyn Wingett for Sunflowers. Runner-up honors went to Brook Griffen for Value Study and Luis Ortiz-Ortiz for Dream Drawing. Award of Excellence recipients included Kamaya Rumley and David Coole.
Honorable mentions were awarded to Damian Wright, Ricardo Uribe, Jonathan Hagwood, Jeiden Haiola, Xena Muhammad and Amari Knox.
“It makes such a big difference to see the work presented with frames and mats and in a proper display environment,” said art professor Gerry Bannan. “And everybody who is taking classes this year has contributed at least one piece.”
Funding for the awards was provided by the Patrick & Henry Foundation Board and through the work of Tiffani Underwood.
Underwood said the awards reflect the college’s commitment to student development.
“We loved being able to support our students in all different ways,” she said. “So this is just one of the many ways that we can give back to our students. You guys have done an amazing job. I have gone through and looked at the pieces, so you should all be very proud of yourself, whether you actually get one of the checks or not. It’s a lot of beautiful work here.”
Winners were selected by an outside judge, who this year was the director of the Bull Mountain Arts Group.
Bannan said the event recognizes the effort students put into their work throughout the semester.
“The students here at Patrick and Henry Community College put in a lot of time and effort learning to express themselves visually,” he said. “And it is difficult. Through the course of their semester’s work, they develop this ability through a lot of hard work, and it’s very important to recognize that.”
He said many students will not pursue careers in art, but still benefit from the experience.
“A lot of my students are not going to go on to pursue careers in art,” Bannan said. “And a lot of people feel like art is something you’re either talented at or you’re not. And while talent is a real phenomenon, that doesn’t mean a person can’t get better. In 30 years of teaching, every student I’ve ever had has improved from whatever level they entered to a higher level when they finished.”
He said that growth builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
