Anastasia Bryner, a junior at Newport High School, received the highest visual art honor, “Best in Show,” along with a $250 prize for her oil pastel self-portrait, Crunch. Selected from 670 visual art entries, Bryner’s award-winning piece will be featured in PCCA’s Director’s Choice exhibit at PCCA Gallery, 1 S. 2nd St., Newport through May 10. The public is invited to view the exhibit during gallery hours, Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, Newport High School will display the Best in Show traveling trophy until next year’s Youth Art Day.

Each year, event attendees vote for their favorite artwork to receive the People’s Choice award. This year, West Perry High School junior Lillian Wills won the honor for her mixed-media piece, Flower Child, earning a $100 cash prize. Wills’ artwork will also be showcased in the Director’s Choice exhibit alongside the Best in Show winner.

In addition to Best in Show and People’s Choice, there will be 24 other pieces of student artwork on display in the Director’s Choice exhibit. Selected artwork has been created by the following students, grouped by school and grade level. Carroll Elementary: Brissa Ranapahelee, Brooklyn Morrison, and Liam Radonovich. Greenwood Elementary: Charlotte Cabell. Greenwood Middle and High: Emily Hackman, Marleen Hensel, and Ben Duncan. Newport Elementary: Kelsi Hartman, and Terra Miller. Newport Middle: Madilyne Bailor. Newport High: Yara El Hassan. Susquenita Middle: Lilith Bryington, Cambree Mullen, and Landen Yinglin. Susquenita High: Ashton Castelluccio, and Izabella Bitting. West Perry Middle: Peyton Rice, Julia Smith, and Liam Thomas. West Perry High: Adam Metcalf, Madison Wise, Sophia Meglio, and Leah Groff. PA Cyber Elementary: Mackey Thomas.

About Youth Art Day

Perry County Council of the Arts
Best In Show: Pictured from left, PCCA Executive Director Jasmine Colbert, Best in Show award winner Anastasia Bryner and PCCA Board President Allison Julliana. Bryner is holding the Youth Art Day traveling trophy which is displayed at the winner’s school (Newport) until the following April.

Youth Art Day is an annual celebration of visual, performing, and literary talent from Perry County students in kindergarten through 12th grade. To support this program, visit www.perrycountyarts.org/donate.

For more information on other programs and services provided by the Perry County Council of the Arts, visit www.perrycountyarts.org or call (717) 567-7023.