The TroyFest Committee presented checks to art teachers at four schools in the county at the Johnson Center for the Arts last week in appreciation for their support of the TroyFest Student Art Competition.

“The checks are a way to say thank you for encouraging their students to participate in the annual TroyFest Student Art Competition,” said Rob Drinkard, TroyFest committee chair. “The funds were donated from proceeds from TroyFest 2012 and will be used by the teachers for classroom art supplies or materials.”

Drinkard said the checks will, hopefully, also be an incentive for the teachers to continue encouraging their students to enter the art competition.

“Each year TroyFest hosts a Student Art Competition displaying dozens of student art from grades K-12,” said Pam Smith, TroyFest student art competition chair. “I feel it is important to display student art as often and in as many environments as possible. It makes the students feel good about themselves. “

Smith said that a big part of being an art student is being able to present work.

“For many student artists, this show is their first opportunity to connect with an audience outside the classroom,” she said. “TroyFest committee was grateful once again to have the student art display in the Johnson Center. It is a wonderful opportunity for the students. It validates what the children create as being worthwhile and important.

“Having the student artwork at the Johnson Center also brings in parents and other adults that might not come otherwise. Hopefully, once students and parents are introduced to all of the opportunities the Johnson Center has to offer, they will come back.”

The TroyFest Student Art Competition initiates youngsters from all Troy City and Pike County schools to enter their artwork in several different media categories: drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, photography, graphic design and sculpture.

The students are judged in five different grade divisions – kindergarten-two, three-five, six-eight, nine-10 and 11-12.

“Each media category in each grade division receives a first, second, and third place ribbon,” Smith said. “A ‘Best of Grade Division’ award is given to one student in each of the five grade divisions and a $100 check is given to the teacher of the winning student to help purchase art supplies for their classes.

“TroyFest gave out a total of 83 ribbons this year for students in grades K-12. The ‘Best of Grade Division’ awards this year went to: kindergarten to two, Jamelia Woods (Troy Elementary School), teacher, Jennifer Lindsey; grades three to five, Jessica Wilcox (TES); teacher, Jennifer Lindsey; grades six to eight Hillary Barron (Charles Henderson Middle School), teacher, Jennifer Sullivant; grades nine and 10 Elizabeth Orlofsky (Charles Henderson High School), teacher, Pam Smith; and grades 11 and 12 Amber Griffin (Pike County High School), teacher, Sylvia Helms.