Student artists' works on display at Community Arts Center of Cambria County

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The talents of students from across Cambria County are being showcased in an artistic display.

The “Greater Johnstown Young Artists Exhibit” is on display through Friday in the Goldhaber-Fend Fine Arts Gallery at Community Arts Center of Cambria County, 1217 Menoher Blvd., Westmont.

The annual exhibition, sponsored by the arts center and Allied Artists of Johnstown, features artworks from sixth- through 12th-graders in county schools.

Angela R. Godin, executive director of the arts center, said each year the community looks forward to the show.

“The impressive talent of our youth is exceptional,” Godin said. “It is a breath of fresh air to enjoy their talent and passion for creating art.”

Participating schools include Central Cambria Middle School, Central Cambria High School, Forest Hills Junior-Senior High School, Forest Hills Elementary School, Cambria Heights Middle School, Bishop McCort Catholic High School, Windber Area School District, Blacklick Valley Junior-Senior High School, Richland High School, Portage Area Junior-Senior High School, Conemaugh Valley High School, Greater Johnstown High School, Northern Cambria High School and Westmont Hilltop Elementary School.

Art teachers at the participating schools selected the student works to be entered in the exhibit.

“There have been so many generations of emerging artists that have participated in this exhibition and then have gone on to commit their lives to the arts and culture sector,” Godin said.

“It is so special to think that someday the next renowned artist of the world could have displayed their early work in our ‘Greater Johnstown Young Artists Exhibit.’ ”

Artwork was judged in three divisions – sixth through eighth grades, ninth and 10th grades, and 11th and 12th grades.

Winners received achievement and merit awards, plus ribbons and cash prizes.

Achievement awards for juniors and seniors were presented to Garrett Murphy, Richland High School; Carmella Figerella, Central Cambria High School; and Annabellynn Poppish, Portage Area Junior-Senior High School.

Freshmen and sophomore achievement award honorees are Emma Lepley, Blacklick Valley Junior-Senior High School; Kira Dillon, Central Cambria High School; and Julia Bauer, Richland High School.

Achievement awards for sixth- through eighth-graders went to Nora Stevens, Central Cambria Middle School; Calli Ross, Forest Hills Junior-Senior High School; and Hannah Johnson, Forest Hills Junior-Senior High School.

Merit award for juniors and seniors were presented to Briena Chitester, Conemaugh Valley High School; Hannah King, Northern Cambria High School; Liera Bertolasio, Forest Hills Junior-Senior High School; Jorja Nileski, Portage Area Junior-Senior High School; Meg Stewart, Richland High School; and Alex Donaldson, Central Cambria High School.

Freshmen and sophomore merit awards were handed out to Caelynn Plummer, Portage Area Junior-Senior High School; Journey Crouse, Central Cambria High School; Michael Malloy, Richland High School; Kaitlyn McMullen, Central Cambria High School; Lakin Kough, Conemaugh Valley High School; and Natiya Henderson, Greater Johnstown High School.

Merit award for sixth- through eighth-graders went to Luke Bopp, Forest Hills Elementary School; Ryley Brown and Asher Kutruff, both of Cambria Heights Middle School; Ava Deskevich, Bishop McCort Catholic High School; Sophie Stock, Central Cambria Middle School; and Amber Dunmyer, Windber Area School District.

“The Cambria County community is so blessed to be filled with wildly talented young people.” Godin said.

“Their ability to tap into their greatest creative selves with art is so encouraging for the future of emerging artists.”

There is no admission fee.

Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

For more information, call 814-255-6515 or visit www.caccc.org.