Two students from Chelsea have been awarded Best of Show honors at the State Superintendent’s Visual Arts Exhibit.  Taylor Stafford, an 8th grader at Chelsea Middle School, won for a piece entitled “Aboriginal Koi”, while Joy Kim, a 10th grader at Chelsea High School, won for a piece entitled “Self Portrait.”  A third Chelsea student, Olivia Delbianco, an 8th grader at Chelsea Middle, was also recognized with a second place ribbon for her photography, “Pathway to Paradise.”

A total of 514 students statewide entered artwork in the annual event, which showcases the artistic talents of Alabama’s public school students in grades K-12.  The annual exhibit of original paintings, drawings, mixed-media artwork, and photography will be on display February 6-20 in the Old Supreme Court Library at the State Capitol.

All three Chelsea students, along with their teachers, Lori Risher and Max Newton, will be honored at a special recognition luncheon in Montgomery on February 11.  Stafford’s and Kim’s artwork will also be displayed during a special session of the State Board of Education.

According to Michelle Hall, Supervisor of Fine Arts and Library Media, artwork created by 15 Shelby County students was selected for the exhibit.

“Shelby County is fortunate to have such amazingly talented artists in our schools,” said Hall. “Our art teachers allow students to explore their creativity and to examine diverse perspectives.  These are skills that transcend the art classroom to provide students with a foundation for success in a global society.  We are very proud of Taylor, Olivia, and Joy and look forward to seeing more of their artwork in the future.”

Risher and Newton were both full of praise for their Best of Show award-winning students.

“She puts her best effort into every project and is always curious and willing to learn more,” said Risher of Stafford. “Thinking outside the box takes skill and Taylor does it with ease. She listens to feedback, learns from it, and uses it to her advantage.  It is a pleasure to work with students as talented and diligent as Taylor.”

“Joy is a wonderful student, and a great young artist,” Newton said of Kim. “She is very dedicated and conscientious, and she is not afraid to take chances with her work. This leads to an expanded vision. Joy is very quiet and always takes criticism with a smile. It’s always great to have the opportunity to work with kids like her.”

Other Shelby County students whose artwork will be on display in Montgomery include: Adelynn Binkerd, Shelby Elementary; Logan Miragkia, Mt Laurel Elementary; McKenzie Wilson, Columbiana Middle; Madison Sanford, Oak Mountain Middle; Cassie Ledbetter, Oak Mountain High; Katly Corey, Chelsea High; Jessica Ballard, Oak Mountain High; Angel Rivera, Helena High; Vanessa Rushton, Chelsea High; Samantha Moon, Helena High; Katie Gentry, Helena High; and Kayla Dorough, Vincent Middle/High.