ORANGE PARK – Amazing, imaginative and incredible seemed inadequate to describe the two-day Annual Clay County Student Art Show last Friday and Saturday at the Thrasher-Horne Center.
There were …
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ORANGE PARK – Amazing, imaginative and incredible seemed inadequate to describe the two-day Annual Clay County Student Art Show last Friday and Saturday at the Thrasher-Horne Center.
There were more than 2,000 pieces on display, all created by elementary and secondary students from Clay County District Schools fine art classes. There also were dozens of vendors, a family engagement room, interactive art and pottery activities.
In addition, there was an exhibition by former Oakleaf High graduate and award-winning artist Lindsey Spears, who painted a mural that was put on display in the theater's lobby ahead of Saturday night’s Awards Gala, making the 36th-annual event a “resounding” success, District Fine Arts Specialist Chris Gugel said.
“The attendance was between 3,000 and 4,000 people,” Gugel said. “We had a record number of submissions, and Lindsey Spears created live art (on Friday). This year’s event was exceptional.”
And befitting their artwork.
The conference center was decorated with displays of paintings, drawings, ceramics, cleverly crafted pieces made from ordinary materials like cardboard, wire, rocks, cupcake papers, moss, watercolors, chalk and cameras.
New this year was the Fine Arts Awards Gala, held in the main Performing Arts Center two hours after the art show closed on Saturday. The ceremony highlighted the county’s best art and music students and teachers.
Stephanie Green, an integral member of Concert on the Green events — particularly the Spring Fling and Cocoa and Carols — was master of ceremonies for music, while Spears was the keynote speaker.
For the musical portion, Mara Rose Bruce, the highly acclaimed director of bands at Fleming Island High, who retired last year, was the keynote speaker, while former Clay County Commissioner Mike Cella was master of ceremonies.
The District presented and then distributed awards to its top student artists, musicians and Fine Arts Educators of the Year.
The Competitive Award winners were: Lindsay Gillis (Fleming Island) for Choir Student of the Year; Will Ross (Keystone Heights Junior/Senior) for Band Student of the Year; Amy Le (Oakleaf) for 2D Art Student of the Year; Shinju Shroyer (Oakleaf) 3D Art Student of the Year; Natalee (Ridgeview) for Theatre Student of the Year; Gabrielle Gomez (Fleming Island) for Resilient Artist Award; Benjamin Mann (Keystone Heights Junior/Senior) for Fine Arts Community Hero Award; Jonathan Bristol (Orange Park) for Cultural Contribution Award; Chad Robbins (Band Director at Oakleaf) for Fine Arts Teacher of the Year; and Keisha-Ann Francis (Volunteer at Ridgeview) for Fine Arts Volunteer of the Year.
