DEBBIE MUSTIAN / L’Observateur / November 15, 1999

The gymnasium at St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace was turnedinto a miniature art gallery recently when the school’s Parent Teacher Organization hosted its second annual art show.

Artists from near and far submitted oil landscapes, acrylic abstracts, floral photographs, watercolor mirages, charcoal sketches, wire sculptures and 3-D paper art in a show that welcomed creative endeavors from children through retirees.

Art lovers enjoyed viewing everything from a traditional swamp scene to a painting produced on a canvas of newsprint. Those strolling through thejudged art show were rewarded with a variety of images: a wire creation of an injured figure bound by a wheelchair by high-school student Benson Green; a spellbinding watercolor of a military man painted by youngster Harry Kohles; an acrylic collage of images from a young woman’s mind painted by college student Adrienne Adams and a 3-D collage made with homemade paper by artist Denise Roussel.

The artists, too, enjoyed walking between the easels, admiring and commenting on each others’ work. Local artist Robin Wilkes took her timein deciding which piece to vote for in the People’s Choice category. Sheexpressed pleasure with the number of entries from children in the area.

“I think this art show encourages kids in the arts, locally, here in the River Parishes,” she said.

This year there were 95 entries from 44 artists. The art show was judgedby Kevin Kennair, Dorothy Sexton, Edward Pastureau and Susie Usey. Morethan 30 awards were presented to first-, second- and third-place winners in six age groups and different categories, including photography (new this year), sculpture, Christianity, People’s Choice and Best of Show.

Art show chairperson Cheryl Brignac welcomed artists and guests to the awards ceremony. “We have so much talent within ourselves and we allhave different ways of expressing ourselves,” she said.

Then the awards were distributed. Here are the winners: 6 to 9 years: First place: Dane McCahill for “Green Dragon;” Second and third place: Lani Hale.

10 to 13 years: First place: Harry Kohles for “Decorated Army Man,”: Second place: Harry Kohles; Third place: Chris Peterson and Alan Adams tied.

14 to 18 years: First place: Adrienne Adams for “Abstract Art;” Second place: Ashley Oncale; Third place: Nicole Strauss and Benson Green tied.

19 to 29 years: First, second and third place: Josh Millet. His firstplace honor was for “Stood Up.” Adult: First place: Robert Fisher for “The Cleaner From Long Ago;” Second place: Dirk Lovetro and Robin Wilkes tied; Third place: Stuart Schultz and Robert Fisher tied.

55 and over: First place: Earl Deroche for “Camps on the Bayou;” Second place: W.M. Johnson; third place: Earl Deroche. Christianity Award: First place: Stuart Schultz; Second place: Irielle Banks; third place: Brandi Brignac.

Sculpture: First place: Benson Green for “Questioning;” Second place: Benson Green; third place: Ryan Waguespack.

Photography: First place: Cindy Green; Second place: Carolyn Roussel; Third place: Sue Ellen Roussel.

People’s Choice (voted on as the most favorite piece): Adrienne Adams for “Self Portrait.” Best of Show: Denise Roussel for her 3-D paper collage.

The winners were thrilled with their ribbons and awards. Benson Green,15, a sophomore at Destrehan High School, said the SCC art show is the third show he has entered.

“I spent a lot of my free time over the summer on this,” Benson said, proudly pointing to one of his award-winning wire sculptures. In fact, thewire sculpture portraying a wheelchair-bound figure received a lot of attention during the show because people paused at the display and talked about what it might mean.

Adrienne Adams, 17, seemed surprised with her awards. In fact, shewasn’t planning to enter any artwork because she didn’t think she would place. But her mother encouraged her to enter a few pieces and she tookfirst place in her age group for her colorful “Abstract Art,” and won the People’s Choice award for “Self-Portrait,” a sketch of herself as a child.

“I did both of these at Chapelle last year as part of my art class,” Adams said. “And I got a 100 on both of them.” Adrienne, who is a freshman atLouisiana State University, is continuing her study of art in college. “I’mmeeting new challenges in art.”Brignac said she was pleased with the show. “Last year, we had 54entries, but we reduced the entry fee this year,” Brignac said. “Also, thecash that was awarded to winners was donated by our sponsors, so we made more money than we did last year and that was our intent.”The funds raised during SCC’s art show are recycled back to the high- school students in some way. The profit generated from the first showprovided each SCC student with a daily planner this school year.

Sandy – if this runs a little long, feel free to cut the last 2 graphs.

here are the cutlines:

1st picture: Lots of folks took in St. Charles Catholic High School’s secondannual art show on Sunday, including school principal Drew Cupit and his wife, Helena, center.

2nd picture: Adrienne Adams won the People’s Choice award for her “Self Portrait” and first place in her age group for her acrylic “Abstract Art.”She is pictured with both entries.

Sandy – if the above photo seems out of focus, use the picture of Adrienne gazing at her self portrait.

3rd picture: Benson Green is pictured with his award-winning wire sculptures.

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