Art Students Shine, Win Top Regional Awards

Artists Danielle Curran and Peter Barlow were just a couple of unknowns, but given their recent achievements, their names will likely begin to resonate with those in the Cleveland-area art scene.

That’s because Curran’s “Purple Hart” artwork and Barlow’s “Last Hope” short film won top regional awards and are currently being judged against the nation’s best pieces in New York City in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers and their affiliates, spokeswoman Christine Gordillo said.

“Danielle is very independent,” art teacher Amy Sedlack said. “She comes up with and develops fabulously creative, magical themes. And Peter expresses himself through these imaginative video images, music soundtracks and special effects. It’s no wonder why they got this far.”

In terms of how far they’ve come, Curran’s and Barlow’s art beat out about 165,000 other student artists from across the country who were vying for “gold key” regional honors that are required to make the national cut.

“One thing I do love about Lakewood is that it’s an art community that’s very supportive of its own,” Sedlack said. “These kids are fueled by the community and it’s our job to inspire them and to keep them thinking outside the box.”

Their works are currently up against 50 other pieces in New York, and the winners will be notified in early March.