Art showcased at library
By James Card
There is a giant whale shark in the Waupaca Area Public Library.
The aquatic beast hangs from the ceiling in the downstairs exhibition room and is part of the annual Youth Art Month exhibit.
The papier mâché shark was crafted by 11th grader Kionna Jorgenson. It is one of many works of art in the exhibit.
The work ranges through many mediums: ceramics, pottery, sculpture, pencil sketches, paintings, textiles, metalwork, jewelry, etchings, found objects, printmaking and mixed media.
A collaboration of the Waupaca School District, Waupaca Area Public Library and Waupaca Public Library Foundation, the exhibit shows the best artwork from kindergarten through 12th-grade students.
The exhibit was curated and organized by Waupaca art teachers Mackenzie Burns, Erika Elgersma, Mathew Lawniczak and Tricia Price. The ongoing exhibits at the library are organized by Liz Kneer, the exhibit room coordinator.
An awards ceremony was held on Tuesday evening, Feb. 20, to honor the outstanding artists. The Best in Show was Lily Swendrzynski. For Waupaca High School, first place went to Cooper Roberts, second place to Ula Rozanska and Lalita Renteria took third. Honorable mentions include Sarah McCourt, Jenna Olson, Claire Hemmila, Stephanie Nickerson, Kevin Crawford, Brooke W., Tustin Phillips
For Waupaca Middle School, Jordan Cockrell took first place, Christine Packingham, took second and Luka Adkinson took third. Honorable mentions include Kendall Rice, Aiden Folz, Garrett Bohringer and Bailey Nelson.
For elementary school students from the Waupaca Learning Center and the Chain Exploration Center, Silas Hackett took first place, Lisette Heinsohn took second and Evelyn Fritz got third place. Honorable mentions include Cass Garrison, Liam Wohlrabe, Theodore Doscher, Emma Storck, Zachary Doscher, Grace Washburn and Jaqueline Johnson.