Senior Harleigh McCloskey won Best in Show for her work titled “Candace,” fellow senior Sarah Parker won the Outstanding Senior Artist Award and junior Emily Romano won the Tom Mickle Creativity Award at the 14th Annual Tyrone High School Art Show on Friday, April 25.

“The art show was a wonderful experience again this year,” said TAHS art teacher Eric Feather, “I’m always pleased with the work of the students.  But what I am most pleased with are some of the reactions to the show I witnessed from students, parents and teachers. All of them seemed to be overwhelmed by the talent and creativity displayed by our students,” Feather added.

According to Feather, this was a year firsts for the annual art show. 

For the first time, cash awards were given for 1^st through 5^th place and for the Outstanding Senior Artist Award.

Also, for the first time a new award was handed out called the “Tom Mickle Creativity Award,” a $150 prize recognizing a student whose artwork  shows striking originality in subject, application of media and/or concept.

Finally, there was also an unprecedented three way tie for the people’s choice award at the 12^th grade level.

“I enjoy seeing the expressions of surprise and pride on the faces of students who receive awards.  I love to see the praise and support for the award winners demonstrated by their peers who did not receive awards; I am always elated to see students win awards when they never expected to.”

This year’s featured guest artist juror was artist Phil Brulia,  from Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. 

Brulia is a professional artist and exhibitor who specializes in detailed pencil drawings, portraits and landscapes.

“Phil did a fantastic job of rewarding students for their technique and creativity and I know he put much serious thought into his selections,” said Feather.

Top awards were presented to:

• Tom Mickle Creativity Award: Emily Romano “She”
• 5th place: Vika Walk “Eyes In The Waterfall”
• 4th place: Emily Beam “Ellie”
• 3rd place: Alexia Daly “Ink”
• 2nd place: Katrina Hagenbuch “Berkley”
• 1st place Best of Show Award: Harleigh McClosky “Candace”

The merit award recipients were:

• Freshman Brandon Albright “Death From Above” and Taylor Hoover “The Golden Sunrise”
• Sophomores Sarah Isenberg “балет” and Erik Ixtepan “French Fries Are Delicious”
• Juniors Cody Shultz “Johnny 3 Tears” and Lena Walk “Art Through Me”
• Senior merit award winners Kylie Rutherford “Good Ole Gerard” and Marijo Whalen “Glued Point”

The “People’s Choice Awards” as determined by students, faculty and members of the public were:

• Freshman Brandon Albright for his graphite drawing entitled, “Death From Above”.
• Sophomore Sarah Isenberg for her graphite drawing of a ballerina.
• Junior Lena Walk for her mixed media self portrait entitled, “Art Through Me”
• And there was an unprecedented three way tie in the senior division for two airbrush paintings by Harleigh McCloskey and Sarah Parker’s self portrait titled “Visionary”

We caught up with the Best in Show and the Outstanding Senior Award winners to ask a few questions about this year’s art show:

Harleigh McCloskey

Q. What did you think of this year’s art show?

H. I thought that the art show was a very well done and the artwork entered was amazing.

Q. What was your reaction to winning an award?

H. I was shocked that I got Best in Show because I saw so many awesome pieces, but it was a nice surprise for my last art show in high school.

Q. What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

H. My winning piece “Candice” was inspired by a picture I found of Candice Swanepoel, a Victoria’s Secret model, which was different from her usual photos and I like it a lot.

Q. What were your favorite art works?

H. I can’t remember exactly the names of specific art works, but I definitely liked a lot of Lena Walk’s art and Madeline Mengel’s, Although I saw plenty of others I thought were amazing. 

Sarah Parker

Q. What did you think of this year’s art show?

S. Amazing, as always. Though this year there were many exceptional works on display. I was impressed.

Q. What was your reaction to winning an award?

S. I am deeply honored that my passion for art is visible to all. You can’t place in all competitions, but I would accept the “Outstand Senior Artist” award over a placement award any day!

Q. What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

S.The Outstanding Senior Artist award goes to someone who consistently works with creativity and effort throughout the years.  Art is simply my passion. There is no better medium for me to express myself.

Q. What were your favorite art works?

S. That’s such a hard question because each piece is a window into a time or place that is of some meaning to a person, which in turn reveals a little bit about them. But Harleigh’s airbrush pieces were awesome. I’ve never used airbrush, so I don’t know what its like, but she sure knew how to manipulate it. 

Emily Romano

Q. What did you think of this year’s art show?

E. This years art show was amazing. It was awesome seeing all the support given by the Tyrone community.

Q. What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

E. I am still shocked I won anything.

Q. What was the inspiration for your winning piece?

E. I think aliens are cool and that was my take on the modern alien.

Q. What were your favorite art works?

I didn’t have a favorite. They were all unique in their own way.