East Central Ohio Educational Service Center (ECOESC) brought together student artists from across Belmont County for the 3rd Annual Celebration of the Arts, held March 26-29 at the Ohio Valley Mall. The Belmont County High School Art Show kicked off the event on Thursday, March 26, with displays available to view through Sunday, March 29.

A total of 245 pieces of artwork from high school students across Belmont County were on display throughout the weekend, drawing community members and families to the mall, with each district represented by 35 pieces. An additional 125 pieces were featured as part of the K-8 Visual Arts Showcase, representing elementary and middle school students from Barnesville, Bellaire, Bridgeport, Shadyside, Union Local, and St. Clairsville.

Students demonstrated their talent through a variety of media: graphite, pencil/charcoal, pen and ink, pastels, chalk, colored pencil, markers, scratchboard, etching, acrylic and oil paint, resin, ceramic, paper mache, digital photography, and mixed media.

High school art teachers from local public schools judge submissions for the Teacher’s Choice and awarded first through fifth place ribbons. The top three places from each district earned placement in the Top 21, receiving a rosette ribbon and a gift card sponsored by ECOESC. 

Barnesville’s top honors went to Becklee Oliver, who took first place with the acrylic painting “Stolen Voice,” followed by Elle Nugent in second with “Blooming Within” and Lydia Fuchs in third with the pastel piece “Horse.”

In Bellaire, Tegan Corbett earned first place for the handbuilt ceramic “Body of Water,” with Kai Brehm placing second for “Inside the Mind of Kai” and Savannah Knayuch third for the acrylic and resin work “Submerged.”

Bridgeport’s top finishers were Kielynn Knollinger in first with the pen piece “Putrid Glory,” followed by Arbor Hyde in second with the mixed media sculpture “The Watcher” and third with “Mobius Angel,” a mobile crafted from reeds and paper.

Lillian Kelly represented Martins Ferry with a first-place finish for the pen and ink work “David vs. Goliath,” while Addison Alessi earned both second and third place for the acrylic paintings “Hues of Dusk” and “Ironbow Thermal Owl.”

Shadyside’s Andrea Roush claimed first place with the mixed media piece “Reverse Bear Trap,” with Gianna Moore placing second for the graphite work “The Baptism” and Giovanna Hines finishing third for the embroidery entry.

St. Clairsville’s Bella Padilla took first place with the mixed media entry “Book Nook,” followed by Lizzie Fulton in second with the pastel “Happy Little Sunset” and Ella Fulton in third with the paper-maché “Mantis Mask.”

Union Local’s Maddie Tingler earned first place for the colored pencil work “Moonage Daydream” and third for “Flower Child,” with Ella Greenwood placing second for the chalk pastel “The Mountains Are Calling.”

Merit awards were presented to the following students: Barnesville’s Maleah Farrell, Brooklyn Miller, Ashlyn Spangenburg, Maddy Fisher and Liv McCrate; Bellaire’s Alex Ney, Magdalene Tutman, Alyssa Price, Miah Sheehan and Isabella McCue; Bridgeport’s Aubrey Black, Amber Polomik, Arabella Ross, Gennaveve Russell and Olivia Salm; Martins Ferry’s Gracie Hercules, Morgan Bintz, Claire Littleton, Leena Rybka and Kailee Freeman; Shadyside’s Navaeh Hayes, Kailyn Crupe, Aiden Lawhorne, Aburie Palmer and Alexis Palmer; St. Clairsville’s Jocelyn Davis, Lizzie Fulton, Ryah Hoobler, Elewyn Mack and Adrielle Trouten; and Union Local’s Maddie Tingler, Cadence Comas, Emma Bober, Paisley Whiteley and Olivia Bober.

The People’s Choice Award, determined by public vote throughout the weekend, went to Brooklynn Ernes for the acrylic painting “Swan Lake.”

On Saturday, March 28, the Celebration of the Arts expanded the showcase to include live student performances beginning at 11 a.m. St. Clairsville’s Music Makers opened the program, followed by a vocal duet by Lose Myser and Kendall McKeegan and a piano solo from Grace Goddard. Six students from Union Local then shared their musical talents through singing, guitar, and dance. Lovella McGraw, Miranda Lucas, and Addy Hatcher each performed a vocal solo, Kennedy Wilkinson performed a vocal and guitar solo, and Lexus Tanner performed dance routines. 

A special thank you was extended to the art and music teachers whose dedication and commitment played a vital role in nurturing the creative talents of their students.

Together, the two events offered a full look at the artistic talent developing throughout the region and highlighted ECOESC’s commitment to supporting student creativity and expression at every grade level.

“The Celebration of the Arts provides an opportunity to experience multiple perspectives through visual and performing arts,” said ECOESC Gifted Coordinator Lisa Burrell. “This experience adds depth and promotes overall well-being in life.”