Out of five American Vision Best of Show winners from across Snohomish County in the Scholastic Art Awards of 2007, three are students at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.
The winners, Brittany Steinbacher and Jarin Troxel are in Karen Eppersons art portfolio class and Erika Blankenship studies ceramics with Debbie McCoy.
The winners are Steinbachers color pencil drawing, Brush Head, Troxels charcoal drawing of two hands turning the key in a door knob, and a ceramic pot by Blankenship.
Steinbachers Brush Head is an Aztec-like mask composed of paintbrushes.
Of Mexican and German heritage, Steinbacher said she found inspiration from her uncles, on her Mexican mothers side.
I always related to them more, she said adding her German fathers side of the family are largely scientists.
She said she didnt really try to make a Latin-styled image, but was glad to hear that it has a bit of Aztec flavor.
Thats interesting, she said. A senior this is just her second art class.
Troxel, on the other hand, has taken art every year, first at the 10th Street School for three years and now at M-PHS. He won a gold key award last year for a self portrait.
Jarin has the natural talent, Steinbacher said she remembers enjoying art way back when she was small and was very proud of some drawings she did of whales.
Now they look like thumbs to me, she laughed.
Troxel likes working with charcoal because its fast and easy to correct, he said he enjoys chemistry as well, and sports, too.
The art students are half way through the two-semester AP class that requires they produce 24 finished works of art. Twelve for breadth of opportunities in many different media and subject matter and 12 for concentration in one style and medium to concentrate on what they do best. They do projects in acrylics, charcoal, colored pencils, linoleum block prints and other media.
The objective is to show growth and development, said Epperson, who recruited both Troxel and Steinbacher to be in her class. Last year Epperson had another student win Best of Show as well. She selects the work to submit herself, sending 10 pieces each from a different artist.
We had no say, Steinbacher said. I suggested another piece, but Eppie picked this one.
The other two Best of Show winners are Jeffrey Anzures of Cascade High School and Shelly Shin of Harbour Pointe Middle School.
Its great for these kids to win these awards. Its a huge boost to their confidence, said Epperson.
Steinbacher agreed.
Its definitely a confidence booster, she said it was very exciting when she received a personal call from Nancy Bell, coordinator of the Scholastic Arts Competition in Snohomsh County. There will be another boost of confidence after the winners finish their thank you speeches at the awards ceremony which starts at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5 at the Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave.
The public is invited to attend the awards ceremony as well as the opening reception of the Scholastic Art Awards exhibit just one block away at the Historic Monte Cristo, 1507 Wall St., from 5 – 9:00 p.m. the same evening. The exhibit remains open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6 through Thursday, Feb. 8, and from 10 a.m – 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9.
Besides the top awards, Marysville had quite a number of gold and silver award winners as well.
From M-PHS, Ben Hager and Sunita Kaur won gold key awards and Renae Hubbard won two gold key awards. Silver key awards were won by Jake Berg, Thomas Furry, Sarah Goldizen (2), Bethany Hayes, Terin Holland, Erica Hylback, Crystal Mollett, Kristin Ripley, Krissa Robinson, Brody Stewart, Sarah Tomas, with two won by Laura Cariaso and Mariya Kochubey at MPHS and students at Marysville Arts & Technology High School Shawn Bjorback, Alexandra McDonald also won silver keys.
Arlington High School students Angela Carey, Brandi Desautel, Liya Peskovaya, Yuliya Tsymbalyuk, Nicholas Wittrock all won silver key awards and as did James Johnson, a Stillagaumish Valley School student.
The jurors who selected the winners were Janet Hamilton, Susie Howell, Peter Jensen, Marissa Motto, James Scott, Kelly Sooter and Lori Vonderhorst.
After the exhibit, American Vision Best of Show and Gold Key artwork will be sent to New York for the National Scholastic Art Awards program.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards were founded in 1923, fostering the confidence of young artists by recognizing them for their creative achievements.
For information call Nancy Bell at 425-257-7372.

Annual scholarship winner announced
Along with the scholastic art awards, the Arts Council of Snohomish County has also announced its annual Young Artist of Snohomish County college scholarship has been offered to Amanda Grage, a senior at Snohomish High School. Grage will receive a $1,000 cash award for tuition to the college of her choice. The award is given to an outstanding art student who plans on attending a community college, college, university, or art school in the fall of 2007, majoring in the visual arts or arts education.
Grage also received two gold awards for her pieces titled, Hope in a Jar and Neisha in the Scholastic Art Awards.