Peabody-Burns High School art students and teacher Kerry Czarnowsky were in Goessel on April 4 for the Wheat State League art competition.

In addition to Peabody-Burns, the schools involved were Elyria, Goessel, Hope, Little River, Solomon, Wakefield, and White City. Each school was allowed to bring up to 20 students and 50 pieces of artwork. Students competed in 17 categories such as drawing, sculpture, photography, ceramics, and many more. Awards were given in each category for first, second, and third place as well as merit awards to recognize distinguished work.

The judge for the competition was Rachel Epp Buller, a member of the faculty in the Bethel College art department. All the students participated in two workshop sessions on clay sculpture and being a full-time professional artist.

Buller reviewed the students’ work and talked about which works received ribbons and why.

One PBHS senior art student received high recognition in two categories. Xxavier Tincher received a first-place award in acrylic painting and “Best of Show,” the best piece of artwork at the competition, for a black-and-white drawing.

“The black and white drawing has high-value contrast and very effectively tells a story,” said Buller.

Peabody-Burns students who received merit awards are Zac Goodwin in functional ceramics, Tommy Morris in acrylic painting, Jessica Sayers in acrylic painting, Tori Schroeder in fibers, Wiebke Wiese in printmaking, fibers, jewelry, and functional ceramics, and Abi VanZandt in black-and-white drawing.

Other PBHS students who participated in the competition are Caroline Beal, Christa Elliott, Kaden Gibson, Tracy Henry, April Kasper, Katie Lewis, and Allen McLaughlin.

“It was great to have the students recognized for their time and effort,” Czarnowsky said. “They spend many hours working in class to improve their skills.”

The artwork is on display this week in the central office at 506 N. Elm.