Return

By Karen Smithmyer
 Gazette Staff Writer

 Despite her young age, 7-year-old Autumn Donaldson said she’s already figured out what she wants to be when she grows up - an artist.

 Donaldson took a step in the right direction March 2 when her collage was  awarded Best of Show at the 17th Annual Student Art Show at the Bedford  County Arts Center.

 The first half of the student show, for grades 1-6, will be on display  through March 14, while the second part of the show, for grades 7-12, will  be open March 16-28.

 “It was so surprising to see I won,” Donaldson said. “I had no idea until  I got there and saw it.”

 Donaldson is a first grader at Bedford Elementary School, and the  daughter of Stacy Donaldson. Her art teacher is Lisa Miller.

 Donaldson’s “The Winter Day” is a collage that consists of two wolves  among trees. The background is gray and is scattered with snow.

 “When we were at the art show we took a lot of pictures of it,” Donaldson  said.

 Although her award-winning piece was a collage, Donaldson said her  favorite method of art is painting and sculpting.

 “I like to use my hands when I’m working.”

 Donaldson said her next goal is to try to make it back to the art show  next year.

 Another student who has a piece in the art show is Tyler Sprigg, a fifth  grader at Bedford Elementary School.

 Sprigg’s self-portrait, “A Day Wearing a Raggy Shirt,” didn’t win any  awards, but hangs prominently in the arts center. He said his pencil drawing  was fun to do and easier to name.

 “I called it ŒA Day Wearing a Raggy Shirt’ because that’s what I had on  that day,” Sprigg said.

 This is the second time one of Sprigg’s pieces appeared in the art show.

 “I like having pieces in the show because then a lot of people get to see  what I’m working on.”

 Best in Grade awards went to Joellica McKean, first grader at Bedford  Elementary, for her “Loving Friends” collage; Gavin Pratt, second grader at  Bedford Elementary, for his “Sunset Evening” watercolor; Maria Shaw, third  grader with the Bedford County Home Educators homeschoolers group, for her  “Muffin Basket” basketry; Terrance Gunby, fourth grader at Bedford  Elementary, for his “Medieval Dragon” clay work; Ryan Hess, fifth grader at  Everett Elementary, for his “The Illusion” marker drawing; and Kody Blevins  and Jake Warren, sixth graders at Bedford Middle School, for their “Storm  Castle” watercolor marker drawing.

 Honorable mention awards went to Alex Cavanaugh, fourth grader at Bedford  Elementary, for his “Fierce Dragon” clay work; Kaitlyn Clark, fourth grader  at Everett Elementary, for her “A Splash of Color” watercolor; Zachery  Davis, sixth grader at Everett Elementary, for his “Assemblage Number One”  found materials and acrylics; Ali Dumin, second grader at Central Primary,  for her “Jungle Friends” crayon and watercolor piece; Gena Hadix, third  grader at New Paris Intermediate, for her “Bamboo” tempera painting; Brandon  Hershberger, second grader at Bedford Elementary, for his “The Best Animal  Friends” clay sculpture; Darrel Oberholtzer, third grader at Northern  Bedford Elementary, for his “Landscape” mixed media piece; Alexia Price,  third grader at Bedford Elementary, for her “Graceful Pheasant” watercolor;  Erica Reffner, fifth grader at Defiance Elementary, for her “Untitled” paper  cutting; Halley Sisk, first grader at Hyndman Londonderry Elementary, for  her “A Princess and a Castle” oil pastel; Lindsay Snyder, a fourth grader at  Everett Elementary, for her “Fall Festivity” raffia weaving; and Kayla  Valentine, fifth grader at Everett Elementary, for her “Beaded Basket”  basket reed.

 Also attending the awards reception March 2 was McIntyre’s Minstrels  singers, who entertained for those in attendance.
 The arts center is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays  and is located in the Anderson House along Pitt Street in Bedford.