Pennsbury Students Earn Awards at Art Show

Three Pennsbury students were among the young artists from 27 different Bucks and Montgomery county high schools to earn awards from Arcadia University's 26th annual Touch the Future art show.

Victoria Schenck earned second place in Best of Show, Rebecca Rathgeb won best of category in 3D Mixed Media and Kayli Hannah earned the Juror's Prize for her work.

Three best of show winners were chosen along with 14 category winners, three PSEA purchase prize winners, and a juror’s prize winner from the approximately 300 pieces of artwork submitted by teachers throughout Bucks and Montgomery Counties. In addition, Arcadia University also awarded the first place winner a $1,500 achievement award, second place winner a $1,000 achievement award and third place winner a $500 achievement award for every year of full-time undergraduate study at Arcadia University.

Sponsored by the Mideastern Region of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (MER/PSEA) and the Council for the Advancement of Public Schools (CAPS), this year’s show was juried by Carole Loeffler, associate professor of art and design at Arcadia University.

“All of the students with work in this exhibition are to be celebrated,” said Loeffler. “Rarely do we get to see so much talent, inventiveness and skill in one space. Being surrounded by work made with such great ambition, heart, passion and vision is truly an exhilarating and unforgettable experience.”

The event is co-chaired by art teachers Lynne Pribis of Upper Dublin High School, Connie Berger of Cheltenham High School and Kelly Washington of Pennsbury High School.

“Once again we find ourselves facing detrimental budget cuts to our schools, including programs like art,” said Linda J. Weaver, president of the Mideastern Region. “To walk through this exhibit is to see the incredible talent and dedication of our students and the incredible teaching and mentoring offered by our teachers. To take these opportunities away would not only be robbing them of the chance to explore their creative gifts and where that exploration may take them, but also depriving the community of the meaningful works of beauty that our students create year in and year out.”

The exhibition will remain open to the public through Thursday during gallery hours: Tuesday/Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. It is located at Arcadia University (Commons Art Gallery and the Great Room lobby area) – 450 S. Easton Road, Glenside, Pa. 19038.