BHS Belmont County Art Show Winners
The Barnesville High School art department, led by instructor Luke Johnson, participated in the Belmont County High School Art Show. Seniors Lydia Fuch, Ella Nugent and Becklee Oliver, as well as Junior Sophie Carpenter, brought home top honors.
Becklee Oliver won first place and Top 21 with her painting named Stolen Voice, created with acrylic paint. Oliver’s inspiration for the piece came from the feeling of being silenced and unable to express one’s true thoughts or feelings.
Oliver stated, “I wanted to capture the emotional weight of having your voice taken away, whether by other people, expectations, or fear.” She wants viewers of Stolen Voice to reflect on the importance of being heard and the impact of losing that right.
Blooming Within, painted by Ella Nugent, won second place and Top 21. Nugent’s inspiring idea is that beauty blooms from within. “Just as a flower needs care and the right conditions to flourish, so too does a person need to nurture their inner self to grow and shine,” said Nugent. Nugent explained that the painting’s flowers symbolize this growth. Each petal and color represents a different aspect of the subject’s personality and journey, and the hand represents external support. “It is a reminder that we are not alone in our journey and that connection and help are always available,” stated Nugent.
Using chalk pastels, Lydia Fuchs created What the Trail Remembered. Fuchs won third place and Top 21. Fuchs shared that her inspiration for the artwork came from a trail ride out west.
“While riding through Wyoming and Idaho, I took a photo of the horse I rode, which I used as the reference for this project,” commented Fuchs.
Sophie Carpenter won fourth place for her artwork named Throwing Shade! Carpenter’s inspiration was from the bold, playful energy of pop art and the way humor and attitude can be expressed through visuals. Carpenter chose markers as her media.
“I wanted to capture a confident, carefree personality that doesn’t take negativity too seriously, using bright colors, comic style bursts, and exaggerated features to bring that vibe to life,” stated Carpenter.
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