North Artists Recognized at STL Artist Guild’s Young Showcase

Parkway North is host to many talented artists but it is an honor for North’s students to be recognized outside of the school system. This is the honor that 14 students earned at the Young Artist Showcase at the Saint Louis Artists’ Guild in Clayton on March 4.

            “A lot of students are selected each year, but I’m still grateful they chose me,” said senior Justin Skaggs, whose watercolor painting Claws Out was displayed at the show.

The Young Artist Showcase hosted student artwork from the entire Parkway School District and many other schools in the Saint Louis area. Guests were able to tour the exhibits, ranging from paintings, photographs, sculptures, and mixed media pieces.

            “I was pretty excited when I heard. As an artist, it’s nice to see that your work is appreciated,” said senior Shane Devine.

Devine’s painting “Me? At My Age?” was posted on the Artist Guild’s website to advertise the event.

            “There’s not a lot of conceptual depth to it – I was just trying to express the emotions behind somebody seeing they might be going bald. Anything past that, I guess it could be see as a meditation of vanity,” said Devine.

Along with the honor of having their art shown, two students won prizes for their work. Senior Bryan Hagerty won the “Rose Gerber Kagan Memorial Prize” for his watercolor piece Habitat, and senior Emma Guller won the “Frances Weinstock Scholarship Fund Prize” for her mixed media piece Remember. These awards are significant because they are funded by the community, meaning that these students are not only respected, but supported financially.

            “[Frances Weinstock] was a long time member of the Saint Louis Artist Guild and, in her honor, the family has made a scholarship for the young artist’s showcase. To us, that is extremely special that someone felt so strongly…about this organization and about young people,” said Katherine Nahorski, director of the Artist Guild.

The Young Artist’s Showcase not only shows the great talent of students, but also the support of the Saint Louis community. For those interested in seeing the exhibition, the Young Artist’s Showcase will be open at the Saint Louis Artist’s Guild through April 21. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

Written by Jonathan Herzog — Staff Writer