Avondale High School artists receive $2400 during annual art show

Avondale High School student Crystal Czarniecki displays a piece from her exhibit “Time is Running Out", a statement about taking ownership and stewardship of our planet.

The talent of Avondale High School art students was on display during the school’s annual Fine Art Show where hundreds of pieces from various media delighted visitors from around the community. Student work included paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, ceramics and jewelry and reflected the individual expression of newer as well as more experienced student artists such as those taking Advanced Placement courses.

Nine Advanced Placement (AP) students hosted individual exhibits during the main show. Crystal Czarniecki presented her show “Time is Running Out”; Allison Drabek’s show was titled “Also Known As”; Ricky Hall presented “Land & Sea”; Dana Holt’s show was titled “God’s Wonders”; Devin Kakuda presented his show “Tied”; Kayla Paquette presented “Peculiar Clothing”; Lillia Stenger’s show was titled “Before It’s Too Late”, Lauren Walsh presented “Substratum”; and Krista Williston’s show was titled “Flowers of the Field”. Art teacher, Ms. Jennifer Palombit was pleased with the AP exhibits, stating that “the work demonstrates the students’ commitment to mastery of their skills as well as confidence and pride in their work.”

In addition to the AP artwork, pieces from all grade levels and across the Art Department filled the hallways and showcases of the fine arts wing of the school. There were also art-focused activities and art for sale. Highlighting the Opening of the Show was an awards ceremony and presentation of honors and scholarships to deserving students.

Forty-four honors were presented during the ceremony including $2400 in monetary awards and recognition of the top four Advanced Placement exhibits. Honored students included senior and 1st place winner Crystal Czarniecki; senior Ricky Hall, earning 2nd place; senior Lauren Walsh, taking 3rd place; and awarded with 4th place, senior Krista Williston. Czarniecki was presented with the Janet Davison Scholarship, a $1000 award presented by former Avondale High School art teacher, Ms. Janet Davison. Hall, Walsh and Williston received scholarships given in the name of Helen Schodowski. Mrs. Schodowski’s scholarship fund was established by her husband who endows $1000 each year to be shared by deserving students. Additional monetary awards were the Brad Glass Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $100, awarded to senior Shelby Porter as the Top Drawing/Painting Student; two George Cooper 3D Scholarships, each in the amount of $100, awarded to seniors Katherine Holloway (Ceramics) and Ethan Jewell (Metals); and receiving $50 CR Hill gift certificates were junior Anthony Palombit and sophomore Ella Ragan. Art Show patrons voted jewelry created by both Palombit and Ragan as the best jewelry entries in the Show.

The Show concluded after a four-day run, and drew hundreds of parents, and district-wide staff and students, as well as community members to enjoy the work of the Avondale High Schools artists.