When winners of the 2018 Ann and Bill Litaker Show at Mint Hill Arts were announced at the Opening Reception on December 7, four of the 21 were earned by students. Students were not judged separately; rather, they were selected from 92 entries that included the work of many professional artists. Prizes were awarded in four categories, Painting, Water Media, Photography, and Other Visual Arts.
Maria Miller, in the 6th Grade at Mint Hill Middle School, won an Honorable Mention in Painting for her acrylic titled, “Harry Potter Owl.” Of several medium she works with, gouache is her favorite. She says she started drawing when she was little and took a lot of art lessons in Russia while visiting there in the summer after the 4th grade. Her Russian art teacher both educated and inspired her.
Samuel Doejaaren, a junior at Piedmont High School, won 3rd Place for his photograph titled, “Overhead Fountain.” The photograph was taken with a drone.
Doejaaren has owned drones for years, mowing lawns to earn money to continuously upgrade them. He has taught himself photo-editing. In addition to drones and photography, he is an accomplished artist in drawing with both colored pencils and graphite.
Aaron Worley, a senior at Hampton College, won an Honorable Mention in Painting for his pastel “Date Night in Sleepy Town.” Worley’s subject matter is usually drawn from his imagination and he paints to share those musings with others. He, totally self-taught as an artist, has explored many media. Currently he is “100% pastels,” either oil or chalk, and says he loves them because they are “frustrating and messy with a steep learning curve.”
Sarah Hinson was awarded an Honorable Mention for her clay sculpture “Hanahaki,” which was actually her first attempt at sculpture. A freshman at Central Piedmont Community College, Hinson took all her art courses at Independence High School. She says she has worked with clay, pencils, acrylic and watercolor – “so far,” she says, adding, “I don’t really have a favorite medium as I am still expanding my skills and trying to sate my curiosity for all different kinds of mediums.”
The talent, and creativity, and real passion for art exhibited by these students are a credit to the parents and teachers who have encouraged them and reassuring for the future of art in this community. The public is invited to see the show from now until January 16, 2019. The gallery is open Wednesdays – Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Mint Hill Arts Gallery at 11205 Lawyers Road in Mint Hill.
