Wallkill Valley artists win big at art show

HAMBURG — Hundreds of people braved the cold weather Friday night to attend the 8th annual Wallkill Valley Invitational Art Show.
Chapter 1006 of the National Art Honor Society welcomed all to the popular show, held in the main corridor at The Wallkill Valley Regional High School from 6:30–8 p.m.
The event showcased artwork from students attending the following high schools: Delaware Valley, High Point Regional, Montville, Mount Olive, Roxbury, Sparta, Vernon Township, Wallkill Valley Regional, Warren Hills Regional and West Milford.
Elementary and middle schools represented were: Eisenhower Middle, Franklin Elementary, Hardyston Middle, Ogdensburg, and Sussex Middle. While all mingled, viewed and appreciated the art from very talented area teens, The Valley Voices (Jazz Choir) as well as soloists and a pianist entertained with delightful music and songs.
“Some of the biggest benefits of arts education for students are that it can actually improve student learning, school attendance, critical thinking skills and creativity," Amy Fairweather, fine arts instructor at Wallkill Valley Regional High School said. "All of these are essential for successful academic performance and life beyond high school. Recent studies have concluded that the creativity and innovation utilized in the artistic process is extremely and highly valued by employers in the United States. One of the most important benefits of arts education for students is that it helps them appreciate and understand the different cultures and values of our very diverse society. The artistic process is vital. It increases self-esteem and is often credited with helping to motivate students to come to school.”
Sparta High School Art Instructor and Wallkill Valley alumna, Christy Graham, could not help but gush about her students.
“I am so happy to come here to the art show and support my students," Graham said. "I am so proud of their accomplishments.”
Judges for the show were Marshall Okin, Art Etc. Gallery; Hailey McCracken from Delaware College of Arts & Design; Jonathan Bolles, Montserrat College of Art,; Raechel Eddy from Peters Valley School of Craft; Kirche Zeile, Ringling College of Art and Design; Andrea Geller of William Paterson University. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Christopher Peterson, from the Savannah College of Art and Design, was unable to attend in person.
Categories for the High School Awards included Drawing /Illustration (Black and White), Drawing/Illustration (Color), Painting, Pottery/Crafts, Sculpture, Open/Mixed Media, Photography, Digital Media/Video. Ribbons and Certificates for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place for each category were given out as well as a special recognition for the Best in Show. For the Middle School Awards, Ribbons and Certificates were awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and Best in Show received a medal of honor. Judges also publicly spoke and gave many accolades along with prizes ranging from gift cards, discounts to frame their pieces, and Pre-College and College Scholarships.
Raechel Eddy from Peter's Valley School of Craft presented a workshop tuition scholarship to Courtney Graf from Roxbury. Hailey McCracken of Delaware College of Art and Design awarded a pre-college scholarship to Jamie Titka of Wallkill Valley and Gia Rosselli from Mount Olive. She then awarded a $5,000 degree program scholarship to Jessica Murr from Mount Olive. Jon Bolles of Montserrat College of Art gave a pre-college $1,500 scholarship to Christopher Cassella from Warren Hills and Jennifer Le May from Mount Olive. He then awarded a $40,000 BFA scholarship to Rebecca Weng of Roxbury, Sarah Petrucci of Wallkill and Jarrett Paladessa of Delaware Valley.
Upwards of $130,000 in scholarship awards were handed out.