Plainville High School Students Honored In Scholastic Art Awards Program
Posted on 01/23/2018
Scholastics 2018 artwork layout (Large)

The Plainville High School Visual Arts Department is proud to announce that four students were selected to receive honors in the 29th Annual Connecticut Scholastic Art Awards in the areas of Drawing and Illustration. The artwork will be on exhibit this month at the Silpe Gallery, located on the University of Hartford campus. A formal awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, January 28, 2018 from 2:00-3:30 p.m.

The 2018 Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards exhibition features select work from over 130 participating public and private Connecticut schools in grades 7-12. Student artwork is juried by professional artists and university art faculty and is selected on merit for inclusion in a statewide art exhibition held at the Hartford Art School. Beyond the honor of being selected for this high quality exhibit, students may be awarded Gold or Silver keys and Honorable Mention Awards in each of 17 media categories.

The Connecticut Art Education Association and the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford sponsor the exhibition.

The following award winners represented Plainville High School: Matthew Violette, Grade 12, Silver Key Award – Drawing and illustration, Taylor LaPira, Grade 12, Gold Key Award - Drawing and illustration, Abigail Leander, Grade 12, Gold Key Award - Drawing and illustration, and Cameron Rexinger-McConnell, Grade 12, Gold Key Award - Drawing and illustration. All four award winners are students in Plainville High School Art Department faculty member Mario Pires’ classes. “We take great pride in showcasing the outstanding effort, craftsmanship and sheer enjoyment our students put into the development of their skills, thoughts and voice in and out of the art room. Taylor, Cameron, Matt and Abby are shining examples of how hard work and enthusiasm pay off! I have no problem in stating that the artwork of our art students here at PHS rivals that of colleges and universities,” said Pires.

“These students tapped into their passion for art as well as their potential to create their works. I am truly impressed by the talent displayed by our students and the limitless support of Mr. Pires and the entire department,” noted Plainville High School Principal, Roberto Medic.