Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) traveled to Perry, Georgia for the Georgia National Fair (GNF) Art Expo where they had 50 art pieces on display in the exhibition. Each year, GNF opens the art contest to all schools in Georgia where budding artists vie for top prizes in six different categories. Not only do the students receive ribbons for 1st-3rd place but also monetary awards: 1st- $25, 2nd - $20, and 3rd - $15 while Best In Category receives an additional $25 and a rosette. Best In Show receives $100!
There are six different categories to highlight the various artistic skills: Drawing, Painting, Other Types of 2D Art, Photography, Sculpture, and Other Types of 3D Art. In addition, there are classes within each category. This allows for a wide variety of artists to participate and show off their artistic skills.
This year, Mrs. Debbie Vogel, LOA Upper School Art Teacher, and Mrs. Amanda Stewart, LOA Middle School Art teacher, had 32 high school students submit 50 art pieces - the maximum amount allowed to be submitted. With a short notice of approval of participation for the Middle School Art students, Middle School had 11 exhibitors with 16 entries. The Middle School Art Department looks forward to having a stronger showing in future years as they’re only recently able to participate. Vogel stated, “I am proud of all our students for submitting work to the Georgia National Fair youth exhibit. It is such a good experience for students to see their work hung among other artists in the state and it is particularly satisfying to earn an award.”
LOA had many successes at the Art Exhibit, taking home awards in various categories:
HIGH SCHOOL
11th/12th Grade
● Maddie Cummings: 1st place - Water Media Painting
● Irem Erturk: 2nd place - Water Media Painting
● Naomi Tovar: 2nd place – Pencil
● Marley Beeker: 3rd place - Sculpture Other
9th/10th Grade
● Avery Sanders: 2nd place - Printmaking
● Leighann Padgett: 2nd place - Paper Mache
● Lexi Sangam: 2nd place - Pencil Drawing
● Valaria Martinez-Arguelles: 1st place and “Best of Category” - Colored Photography
● Blakely Cantrell: 2nd place - Black and White Photography
● Ben Reber: Honorable Mention - Colored Photography
(L to R): Ben Reber, Irem Erturk, Marley Beeker, Mrs. Vogel, Madison Cummings, Naomi Tovar, Valeria Martinez-Arguelies
MIDDLE SCHOOL AND SCULPTURE STUDENTS
8th Grade (High School Art l Class)
● Kira Delgado-Schelmetty: 1st place - Printmaking
● Audrey Lowe: 2nd place - Printmaking
● Yamily Perez: 2nd place - Ceramic Sculpture
7th Grade
● Maddie Moon: 2nd place - Wire/Wood Sculpture
● Roland Bryant: 3rd place - Clay Sculpture
9th/10th
● Maggie Wilson: 1st place - Wire/Wood sculpture
● Rilan Hudgins: 1st place - Wire/Wood Sculpture
● Blakely Cantrell: 2nd place - Wire/Wood Sculpture
● Linda Cason: 2nd place - Wire/Wood Sculpture
(L to R): Avery Sanders, Audrey Lowe, Mrs. Amanda Stewart, Roland Bryant, Maddie Moon, Kira Delgado-Schelmetty
The art exhibits stay on display the duration of the fair hosted every October. Thousands of people peruse the Miller-Murphey-Howell building to see the incredibly talented students across the state of Georgia each year. For young artists, it is a real opportunity to display their hard work.
The Georgia National Fair is a state-sponsored fair that is held every October on the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Georgia. This is the 34th year in existence. It offers a wide range of activities and shows - including agricultural, livestock and horse shows, home and fine arts competitions, youth organization events, a circus, rides, a wide variety of fair food, and concerts boasting big name entertainers.