Students from area high schools submitted artwork digitally to Barton Community College to participate in a virtual version of the “Vortex Day” juried art exhibit Wednesday, which is sponsored by the Barton County Arts Council (BCAC) and is underwritten by the Bill J. McKown Endowment/Golden Belt Foundation. 

Shafer Art Gallery Director Dave Barnes said it was important to him and the art department to keep this event going even though it was in a different format this year and without the usual art demonstrations and workshops.

“The Shafer Gallery, Barton County Arts Council and the Barton Community College Art Department proudly present the winners of The Virtual Vortex High School Art Competition,” he said. “This online competition was designed to give our outstanding high school artists the chance to show off their talents without the on-site exhibit and award ceremony that the Vortex High School Art Day normally presents and to celebrate that art-making is alive and well!”

A video of the winners being announced along with judges’ comments is available at https://www.facebook.com/shafergallery/. An album of all entries is available at https://www.flickr.com/gp/188279233@N07/RK201u.

The BCAC Vortex exhibit features entries in a variety of mediums from painting to 3D. The exhibit serves as the framework for Vortex Day, which is designed to stimulate and enhance students’ interest and excitement in the arts. Winners will be awarded E-gift cards.

Barton County Arts Council Vortex Day High School Exhibit 2020 Award Winners

Best of Show 2-D - Patrick Heath, “A House Divided,” Great Bend High School

Best of Show 3-D - Jozlyn Brown, “Scales,” Ellinwood High School

Ceramics

First Place, Lindsey Hanson, “Cow Mug,” Hays High School

Second Place, Wittney Hammeke, “Afternoon Sun,” Ellinwood High School

Third Place, Erica Gross, “Oasis,” Ellinwood High School

Honorable Mention (HM) Mya Maxwell, “Colorful Hurricane,” Ellinwood High School

Sculpture 

First Place, Jacob Sturn, “Doomslayer,” Central Plains High School

Second Place, Ryenne Cunningham, “Gradient Earrings,” Central Plains High School

Third Place, Cass Stout, “We Salute You,” Central Plains High School

HM, Hannah Redetzke, “Flower Bracelet,” Central Plains High School

Charcoal/Drawing 

First Place, Erin Hammeke, “High Noon,” Ellinwood High School

Second Place, Woodson Corbett, “Remember,” Ellinwood High School

Third Place, Emma Fisher, “Wild Child,” Ellinwood High School

HM, Dylan White, “Turning Away,” Ellinwood High School

HM, Ashley Herrman, “Take the Throne,” Ellinwood High School

Graphic Media 

First Place, Emma Fisher, “Dissociative,” Ellinwood High School 

Second Place, Patrick Heath, “The Gift of Education,” Great Bend High School

Third Place, Bam Panyayai, “Sea Apology,” St. John-Hudson High School

HM, Ashley Herrman, “Submerged,” Ellinwood High School

Printmaking/Scratchboard

First Place, Elizeia Knapp-Blehm, “Baby Face,” Central Plains High School

Second Place, Ryenne Cunningham, “Lost for Words,” Central Plains High School

Third Place, Hannah Redetzke, “The Pain and Love of Motherhood,” Central Plains High School

HM, Kassidy Nixon, “Dreamer,” Central Plains High School

HM, Jaydon Whiterock, “Dragon,” Central Plains High School

Digital Photography

First Place, Macy Doctor, “Mother of the World,” Great Bend High School

Second Place, Alyssa Davis, “Self-Portrait with Pet,” Hoisington High School

Third Place, Kendric Castro, “Untitled,” Larned High School

HM, Tiffany Nelson, “Audacious,” Larned High School

HM, Dominick Hendricks, “Self-Portrait,” Hoisington High School

Watercolor

First Place, Patrick Heath, “Field of Dreams,” Great Bend High School

Second Place, Isabelle Gonzalez, “Environmental (smokestack),” Hoisington High School

Third Place, Karen Lovett, “Environmental (wave),” Hoisington High School

HM, Kelly Williams, “Stargazing,” Ellinwood High School

HM, Alyssa Davis, “Untitled (yellow rose),” Hoisington High School

Painting

First Place, Emma Fisher, “Utsukushii,” Ellinwood High School

Second Place, Woodson Corbett, “Abstract Waters,” Ellinwood High School

Third Place, Ashley Herrman, Ellinwood High School.

HM, MaKayla Leiker, “Corona Lisa,” Larned High School

HM, Anna Popp, “Unaware,” Great Bend High School