A Matter of Conscience, the Awards!

Five works of art expressing social issues from the view of Maine high school students earned awards at the opening of “A Matter of Conscience” at the Harlow Gallery in Hallowell on Friday, March 19. The exhibition will end Sunday, March 28.

First Prize went to Annah Kimball, Gardiner Area High School (see photo). Second Prize was awarded to Maggie Ditre from Maranacook Community High School for “Walter,” her college junk mail collage. Tied for Third Prizes were Whitney Wei from Hall-Dale High School for her sculpture, “Size 14”, and Alex Spies from Mt. Ararat High School for his work, “The Tides of War.”

Annah Kimball from Gardiner Area High School accepts the First Prize award for her sculpture, “The Fallen Man,” presented by her art teacher, Cheryl Herr-Rains, who organized the “Matter of Conscience” exhibition at the Harlow Gallery and Cheryl Harper (right), a nationally recognized artist and curator from Philadelphia, who juried and judged the competition.

The Peace Jam Youth Group from the Unitarian Universalist Community Church in Augusta won the group prize for “Recycled Peace: The World Watches Us and We Watch the World”. Group members include Katelyn McAuliffe, James McAuliffe, J’rae Mendall, Cale Mendall, Tonia Reiter, Vanessa Gilbert, Katie Gilbert, Marie Donisvitch, Soren Donisvitch, John Hutton, Sean Oshima, Keiley Chaisson, Ben Barnes, Nick Barnes, Gracie Kavenah, Christian Heath, Maya Bentley, Connor Fahy, and Miriam Nielsen.

Cheryl Harper selected twenty-one pieces for the show from thirty-five entries by HS students from across Central Maine. She complimented parents for supporting artistic development of their sons and daughters and encouraged students to pursue their creative expression. Following the awards, she shared slides of her own social/political art (www.cherylharper.com) with exhibition attendees. Appreciation was expressed to Evergreen Foundation for generous financial support of the event hosted by the Harlow Gallery, home of the Kennebec Valley Art Association.

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