Marywood will host the 90th Scholastic Art & Writing Awards presentation ceremony.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is a regional exhibit of work submitted by high school and junior high school students who come from 12 northeastern Pennsylvania counties. The exhibit is sponsored by Times-Shamrock Communications and the award ceremony is hosted and presented by Marywood University Art Galleries.
According to the Scholastic website, since the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards’ founding it has encouraged more than 13 million participants, recognized more than 2.5 million young artists and writers, and distributed more than $25 million in awards and scholarships.
“I handle and facilitate all the students’ artwork,” said Amy Sleboda, marketing coordinator for The Times-Tribune, and the regional advisory director for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. “We also communicate with the teachers and obtain a talented panel of judges to determine the awards for each student’s work.”
The pieces entered by students are judged to determine who advances to the next round. Each category of work is viewed by a panel of three judges. The criteria are originality, technical skill, and emergence of a personal vision.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are determined on a merit basis, with only the art object under review. The award recognitions are: Gold Key, American Visions Award Nominees, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention.
“Entering was not difficult,” said six-time Silver Key winner Kerrie Eberhart, junior at Valley View High School. “I photographed my work and submitted it online with some basic information.”
Gold Key award–winning artwork goes on to the National Scholastic Art &Writing Awards competition in New York. The Gold Key-winning pieces are considered for further awards, exhibition, and scholarships.
“The greatest part of the experience is creating your own piece while simultaneously standing in awe of the masterpieces created by others,” said two-time Gold Key and Honorable Mention winner Brynn Kizer, senior at Abington Heights High School.
The pieces will be on display in the Mahady Gallery at Marywood through Feb. 10. The Presentation of Awards will be held on Feb. 2 at 1 p.m. in the Nazareth Student Center, Latour Room.
