Home Local News “Art Battle” Displays Talents of Local Student Artists

“Art Battle” Displays Talents of Local Student Artists

RSHS Student Artist Emily Harris
Photo by Pam Simmons

RICHMOND COUNTY – Cole Auditorium at Richmond Community College was filled with outstanding works of art created by students from Richmond Senior High School and the Ninth Grade Academy on Thursday evening, May 24, at the Spring Showcase of Art and Music. This is the second annual show for the art students, and it was held in conjunction with the Raider Concert Band and the RSHS Singing Raiders end-of-year performance. Despite extreme downpours of rain, hundreds of friends, family members, students, and community leaders turned out for the event.

An Art Battle was held between 5 and 7 p.m., involving four art students-Alexandria Baker, Else Dietrich, Meredith Stogner, and Rebekah Wallace. Each young lady had two hours to complete a painting that was to be auctioned off during the band concert, with the proceeds going directly to the individual student’s college fund. Jason Perakis served as the auctioneer, and even got involved in the bidding to increase the bids from the crowd. Alexandria’s picture portrayed a beautiful innocent angel. She plans to attend East Carolina University and study Studio Art. Else painted a serene landscape that was very calming. She shared that she plans to attend Appalachian State University and major in Special Education. Rebekah painted a large sunflower with big brush strokes, and plans to attend RCC after graduation. Meredith’s hummingbird painting was extremely colorful and eye-catching, and raised the highest amount of money during the auction. She plans to attend UNC-Wilmington and major in English. 

Students from the Ninth Grade Academy displayed a variety of their pictures and paintings, ranging from a breathtaking sunset, intriguing light bulbs, butterflies, bubbles, mushrooms, spiders, a red barn, and a colorful autumn scene.  

Some of the AP Students from RSHS had some of their art work on view as well. Emily Harris, admitting that she loves the beach, displayed various pictures of beach scenes, including Holden Beach and Oak Island, as well as a crab, an octopus, and a huge starfish. Some were framed and available for sale. 

Preston Coker, a tall handsome young man, stated that he is an animal lover which genuinely comes through in his work. Some of his pictures included domesticated animals, such as a bulldog and a Doberman pincher, as well as a German shepherd. Other paintings included a lion and a lamb side by side, and a lion and a tiger. His mother and sister were on hand and are proud of Preston and his talent. 

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Caleb Dickens, a very talented young artist at Richmond Senior, had two very unique creations on display, one of which got bumped over by someone not paying attention and almost destroyed. It was a small coffin with a mummified body placed over it, with tiny chains encircling the mummy. Fortunately Caleb was able to put it back together. The other sculpture was a glossy black figure, similar to two intertwined snakes. Caleb will be attending the North Carolina School for the Arts. He is also a talented musician, and plays the piano. 

AP Students Alexandria Baker and Else Dietrich also had tables set up with a display of their creative works. A large table also displayed a variety of prints for sale at very reasonable prices, ranging from a blue and gold macaw to landscapes, a red barn to a desert sunset. 

Andrea McIver serves as the Art Teacher at Richmond Senior High. She was very pleased with the opportunity for her students to showcase their work with the community at Cole Auditorium, as well as for the individual students to raise money for college. 

As the Art Show drew to a close, The Raider Concert Band, The Clarinteers, The Concert Choir, The Raider Diamonds, and The Vocal Ensemble performed for a large audience under the direction of Mike Ward and Erin McNair. Seniors received special recognition from Mr. Ward and Ms. McNair. Graduating Senior Cameron McDonald also led the choir in thanking Erin McNair for her devotion to the Class of 2018 and presented her with flowers and gifts.



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