Young Scotts Valley Artists Place Big at County Fair

It has been almost a week since the Santa Cruz County Fair packed up, but several Scotts Valley art students are still basking in their success in the fair’s art contests.

The young artists, all students at Scotts Valley Art Center under the tutelage of local artist Shirley Lehner-Rhoades, won in categories from watercolors and acrylic painting to handmade quilts and pastels.

“All of the work they did in class,” Lehner-Rhoades said. “They mostly worked on projects that were fun for them and came up with their own subject matter and medium.”

For the second year in a row, 13-year-old Christina Cheney of Scotts Valley, won the Best of Show award for one of her paintings. This year, she took the top prize for her watercolor painting of the "Winter Queen," a portrait of a feather-masked face of a woman. She also won first place in her age group for a painting of a geisha.

“She is a talented young watercolorist who is dedicated to art and draws and paints every day,” Lehner-Rhoades said.
Trevor Hormel, 12, of Scotts Valley, won first place and Best in Section awards for his acrylic paintings. He also won a third place award in watercolor and an honorable mention.

“Trevor is talented in many different media and is well-known for his artistic talent,” Lehner-Rhoades said.

Other notable winners Include:

• Luka Cheney, 10, won a first-place award for his acrylic painting of a lighthouse.
• Jeanne Whiting won three first place awards for her handmade and beautifully designed quilts.
• Maile Sussman, 11, and Sierra Sussman, 7, each won first place awards in watercolor and acrylic painting.
• Tyler Hawes, 10, won first place in watercolor painting.
• Ally and Abby Moerer each placed in acrylic painting.
• Mercedes Molloy, 11, placed second in acrylic painting for her butterfly and Echinacea flower.
• Michelle Nazareth received third place for her watercolor sunset painting.
• Brooke Collishaw won honorable mention for her acrylic painting of Mickey and Minnie Mouse topiaries, and also for her watercolor of a cottage.
• Anya Simonovich won honorable mention for her soft pastel portrait.

“I’m just so proud of them and really happy to see their success,” Lehner-Rhoades said.