Young Visions winners announced

The Young Visions exhibit at the Arts Center in Orange featured the artwork of Orange County's school students. The exhibit opened to a packed house of hundreds of families from across the area. At the Young Visions opening and throughout the month's exhibit, the public was invited to judge the entries. On Sunday, as the snowflakes began to fall, the exhibit came down and the votes were tallied to determine the People's Choice at the high, middle and elementary school levels. Each winner will receive a $50 gift certificate for arts supplies.
"It was so heart warming to see so many proud parents turn out for the exhibit. From Lake of the Woods to Gordonsville, I can't think of any other all-school event that attracts such a crowd," says Arts Center Executive Director, Laura Thompson. "Thanks to all of the parents for supporting their young artists, and thank goodness for Orange County's great art teachers. I look forward to this event every year - opening the portfolios delivered by the teachers - it's never the same."
Locust Grove Elementary's Sabrina Rhodes' mixed media Wanted won at the elementary level. Locust Grove middle schooler Courtney Schmidt won for her monochromatic tempera interpretation of a lightening strike. The winner from Orange County High School, and overwhelming favorite, was Jamie Yurasits for her acrylic painting, Scene from Graves Mountain.
In addition to the People's Choice awards, a basket of art supplies was raffled to help with the costs of the exhibit. G.C. Ellington of True Blue won the raffle and plans to share it with son Patrick, a student at Locust Grove Middle School.
In addition to the art supplies, the raffle basket included something to be shared with the winner's favorite art teacher -- a gift certificate for a bouquet of flowers donated by Lacy's Florist and lunch for two donated by Elmwood at Sparks Restaurant. "Support from local businesses like Lacy's, Elmwood at Sparks, and the next exhibit's sponsor, Virginia Tractor, goes a long way toward helping the Arts Center achieve its mission, -- bringing all of Orange together through art" say's Arts Center President, Ed Harvey. "These are difficult times for not-for-profits and we are especially grateful for the continuing support we receive from our business community in Orange", says Harvey.