Annual High School Show Opens

The artistic talent of area youth was on display at Sunday’s reception for the 23rd Annual High School Show. Over 200 pieces of original art filled the walls of Mena Art Gallery. Schools represented were Acorn, DeQueen, Mena, Umpire, Waldron, and Wicks.

Jesus Orozco of Waldron won Best of Show for his painting titled, “Sunset.” He received $50.00 along with a beautiful ribbon.

Cash awards were presented to other winning artists in each of six categories:

(1) Painting:
1st Place – Kaylee Van Emmerik, Mena;
2nd Place – KC Hansen, Mena;
3rd Place – Yesinia Boix, DeQueen;
Honorable Mention – Latrisha Metcalf, Mena.

(2) Watercolor:
1st Place – Dalton Myers, Acorn;
2nd Place – Tyler Jones, Acorn;
3rd Place – Brenda Balderas, DeQueen;
Honorable Mention – Taylor Barrett, Wickes.

(3) Photography:
1st Place – Ashley Pickens, Waldron;
2nd Place – Austin Stroud, Mena;
3rd Place – Jasmine Wright, Waldron;
Honorable Mention – Jessica Davis, Umpire.

(4) Three Dimensional:
1st Place – Pachia Vang, Waldron;
2nd Place – Abigail Ajuado, DeQueen;
3rd Place – Stephanie Vidrine & Rachel Hinson, Mena;
Honorable Mention – Maria Magana, DeQueen.

(5) Mixed Media:
1st Place – Kaylee Van Emmerik, Mena;
2nd Place – Megan James, Waldron;
3rd Place – Zack Roppel, Mena;
Honorable Mention – Maggie Oneil, Mena.

(6) Graphics:
1st Place – Aleyandra Arroyo, DeQueen;
2nd Place – Jerry Hensley, Mena;
3rd Place – Stephanie Vidrine, Mena;
Honorable Mention – Carlos Maya, Wicks.

Special Merit ribbons were awarded to Carmen Echevarria, Jessica House, Devin Broyles, Kate Self, Kayla Stone, and Kristin Trulock.



Mena Art Gallery wishes to express their thanks to Mena Title Company for providing the cash awards for this show. The art work of these talented young artists will be on display through April 27 and can be viewed during gallery hours: 12 noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays.