LCCTC Commercial Art Students Win High Honors at Juried Art Exhibition
The Martha Gault Art Gallery on the campus of Slippery Rock University has showcased some of the greatest artworks and artists in the world for decades -- most recently, an exhibition of ancient Japanese woodblock prints, textiles, and ceramics adorned the walls and pedestals. This past month, several highly-accomplished high school artists were given the opportunity to share this highly coveted real estate showcasing some of the best works in this half of the state. As a result, the Lawrence County Career and Technical Centers Commercial Arts program has a lot to celebrate with its students’ entries into the highly competitive "SRU Regional Exhibition" this year.
The show, founded in 2011, is a juried exhibition; only the very best works make the cut. This year's show had close to 300 entries with only 68 works being featured in the show. Of the 68 works, 10 came from LCCTC’s very own Commercial Arts program. Exhibiting LCCTC students included Leo Drespling (Laurel sophomore), Katherine Tillia (Ellwood junior), Caden Hall (Shenango junior), Tommilynn Genareo (Shenango junior), Jasmine Wrobleski (Union senior), and Mackenzie Helle (Union senior). The exhibition featured artworks in a variety of media including painting, illustration, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, photography, and digital media. Open to students living in the western half of Pennsylvania, this show required students to professionally document their pieces and submit applications electronically for consideration. Once accepted, the students had to prepare their works for professional exhibition in the gallery by measuring, cutting, and fitting frames and mat boards which would then be secured to the pristine white display walls of the gallery.
“Every students’ exhibit was incredible,” stated Mr. Vince Pavia, HA teacher at LCCTC. “I’m really glad I came to this show. Seeing the works that our students created made me unbelievably proud, and I am amazed at their abilities.”
The show was on display for three weeks with the final evening featuring an award reception with hundreds in attendance. The gallery was filled with excitement and anticipation as the packed house viewed the show and waited for the awards. As the list of award-winners was called, LCCTC students began to get worried. “Would anyone from our CA shop hear their name?”
As the pile of certificates dwindled in size, and the professor serving as Master of Ceremonies said, “For the Art Faculty Award . . . the winner goes to . . . ‘Rats’ by artist, Jasmine Wrobleski from LCCTC!” and the LCCTC Eagles in the room erupted with delight. Wrobleski had been recognized by SRU’s Art Department professors for her illustration!
Soon, there was only one award left, the highest honor of the evening. Would anyone else hear their name called?
For the next few moments, it was as if time stood still as the Master of Ceremonies called out one last time, “And finally . . . for the ‘Best of Show’ award . . . we would like to call . . . from Lawrence County CTC (you could hear at least two-dozen collective breaths draw in the air) . . . for her mixed media collage titled ‘Mother Nature Weeps,’ Mackenzie Helle!” Cheers and claps echoed throughout the gallery, and grinning from ear to ear, Helle approached to receive her well-deserved prize. Tears of joy fell as Eagle hearts swelled with pride.
“I’m so shocked,” exclaimed Helle. “There were so many incredible pieces here. I never expected anything like this, but I’m encouraged to continue making art! I’d like to even try for one of the scholarships offered!”
Considering the competitive nature of the event, all six students who made the show were equally victorious. To see our Eagle artists shine so brightly among the other 68 works from Western Pennsylvania that were selected for the show -- it was a true honor to be represented among the very best of the best. In this collection, LCCTC Commercial Art students stood at the peak of the summit.
Their instructor Mr. DeRosa has this to say about their accomplishments: "I am incredibly proud of my students but not surprised at all. The creativity, skill, and work ethic of this group reflects in the quality of their work, and it is wonderful to see so much potential coming out of our little county." He continues, "The need for highly skilled, creative, and digitally literate young people has never been greater. Our program prepares students by training them to utilize the latest creative technologies prepares them for careers in many fields including commercial printing, animation, product and advertising design, UI (User Interface) design, and many others. I took over the program three years ago, and to date, our students have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes. This group of students continues to uphold the standard of excellence we expect from our program."
Students enrolled in the Commercial Arts Program at LCCTC receive over 1500 hours of instruction in subjects including, illustration, color theory and application, design layout and production, digital photography, digital imaging, and typography. Graduates also earn industry certifications in the latest design softwares and production equipment.”
“It is clearly evident that our students possess the talent and skill to shine at an exhibit like this,” states LCCTC Principal Micheal Milanovich. “This is what LCCTC is all about.”
DeRosa's also states, "All serious art students in the county should be here. There has always been a stigma that careers in art are hard to find, and that is simply untrue. The Commercial Arts have and continue to be in high demand; everything we interact with, both on screens and in print, was designed by a Commercial Artist.”
Derosa invites students interested in joining LCCTC’s award-winning Commercial Arts program to visit the CTC at our upcoming prospective student open house in February. Derosa adds, “I think the advantage our students get when enrolling in the CTC is the length of training, variety of equipment and software, and the opportunities presented through our local partnerships. Often, our graduates leave with resumes that would take most artists a decade to live up to."
Congratulations Mr. Anthony DeRosa and each CA artist who represented LCCTC so well. We are proud of you and your accomplishments. An extra “atta-boy” goes to Jasmine Wrobleski and Mackenzie Helle for their outstanding presentation at the SRU Regional Exhibition! Well-done, Eagles. Well done!