Evans senior takes Best of Show in youth art competition
Eric Robinson's labor of love paid off.
For several months, the Evans High School senior molded, shaped and painted parts of his ceramic piece for the Agnes Markwalter Youth Art Competition with its theme, titled A Taste of Art.
The result was a breakfast plate of an egg, bacon, pancakes and toast decorated with the works of master artists, and it won best of show in the competition. The other winning entries will be on display at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art through the end of the month.
"It's fun to know that I could do it," said Eric of the creation of his piece.
Dorothy Eckmann, Gertrude Herbert's education director, told Eric his piece looked almost like an art history lesson.
Artistic representations of the ancient Egyptians through the works of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Thomas Kinkade and Jackson Pollack are included in his work.
"Originally, I was going to put caveman designs in it too," said Eric, who plans to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design and study graphic design and painting.
Eric's piece is one of about 100 that are on display at the institute in Augusta.
The Agnes Markwalter Youth Art Competition is open to elementary-, middle- and high-school students in Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie, Aiken and Burke counties.
About 30 schools submitted entries in this 25th anniversary competition, sponsored by the institute and the Irish-American Heritage Society.
Agnes Markwalter had a promising art career ahead of her when she was killed in a car accident in 1978. The 19 year-old had a bronze sculpture on exhibit at the Kennedy Gallery in New York.
"Every year, Agnes put something in the Exchange Club (fair's art competition). She was so proud to have her work displayed and to have other people be able to see her work," said her brother, Charlie Markwalter. In her legacy, other children can now experience that same joy, Markwalter said.
Family members said they are surprised at how the competition has grown over the years.
It's gotten so big that schools are limited to submitted only three pieces in each division, said Amy Etherredge, Gertrude Herbert director.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: 25th Annual Agnes Markwalter Youth Art Competition exhibit displaying works from area students
WHEN: On display until March 28
WHERE: Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, 506 Telfair St., Augusta
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call 722-5495
A reception was held March 10 for this year's winners and their families. Columbia County student winners were:
Division 2 (Grades 3-5): Kayla Melton, South Columbia Elementary - First Place; Lillian Hall, South Columbia Elementary - Third Place; Molly Beavers, Riverside Elementary - 25th Anniversary Special Award.
Division 3 (Grades 6-8): Cody Bohler, Harlem Middle School - First Place; Ronnie Sherman, Harlem Middle School - Third Place.
Division 4 (Grades 9-12): Hannah Inouye, Greenbrier High School - First Place; Robin Reif, Greenbrier High School - Second Place; Namrata Mruthinti, Greenbrier High School - Third Place (tie)
Best of Show: Eric Robinson, Evans High School.