Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

TFAC’s annual exhibit, awards recognize young artists in area schools

 

TRYON—The Tryon Fine Arts Center held the opening reception for the Showcase of Excellence on Saturday, February 1, in the JP Gallery, awarding young artists in the area for their works in painting, drawing, photography, and several other categories.

The Showcase of Excellence recognizes young artists and visual arts instructors from upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina. This year, 97 works of art are currently on exhibit, which will continue through Friday, February 28, during TFAC’s regular hours. 

Eldred Hudson, a retired Professor Emeritus at UNC Charlotte, served as juror for this year’s showcase. TFAC also thanks Julia Calhoun for once again volunteering to hang the show for the exhibit.

 

Victoria Udensi, a student at Dorman High School under the instruction of Frances Vaughan, won Best in Show for her painting entitled “Collateral.”

 

Winners at the 2025 Showcase of Excellence include:

 

In the Drawing category:

• 1st Place – Javian Rodriquez, “Self Portrait” – Dorman High School, Teacher Eric Bomar
• 2nd Place – Alyssa Lor, “What’s the Deal” – Dorman High School, Teacher Eric Bomar
• 3rd Place – Luca Gayosso, “Perspective” – Boiling Springs High School, Teacher Amanda Keith
• Honorable Mention – Michael Adzhiev, “New Beginnings” – Dorman High School, Teacher Eric Bomar
• Honorable Mention – Teyo Lor, “A Far Away Land” – Dorman High School, Teacher Robert Urban 
• Honorable Mention – Ava Matti Phillips, “Fallen Despair” – Spartanburg Christian Academy, Teacher Heidi Godfrey

 

In the Painting category:

• 1st Place – Laurie Rider, “A Part of My Landscape” – Dorman High School, Teacher Robert Urban
• 2nd Place – Kensley Hurry, “Mary Puppins” – Dorman High School, Teacher Frances Vaughan
• 3rd Place – Maple Cookson, “Maine Course Meal” – Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, Teacher Natasha McConnachie
• Honorable Mention – Mackenzie Jumper, “The Other Side of the Track” – Greer High School, Teacher Allison Duncan
• Honorable Mention – Nellie Manzyuk, “Splattered Wilderness” – Dorman Freshman Campus, Teacher Ashley Pridgen

 

In the Printmaking category:

• 1st Place – Brooklyn Alexander, “Melodic” – Dorman High School, Teacher Frances Vaughan
• 2nd Place – Shaelyn Davis, “The Market” – Greer High School, Teacher Michael Parker
• 3rd Place – Sofia Diaz, “Sunflower and Vase” – Boiling Springs High School, Teacher Mindie Tumblin
• Honorable Mention – Kyle Hoot, “Inter-sect” – Spartanburg Christian Academy, Teacher Heidi Godfrey
• Honorable Mention – Sara Stukes, “The Boat Ride” – Boiling Springs High School, Teacher Mindie Tumblin

 

In the Photography/Digital Media category:

• 1st Place – Chloe Godfrey, “Visions of Nicaragua” – Spartanburg Christian Academy, Teacher Heidi Godfrey
• 2nd Place – Arleigh Roberts, “Dreamy” – Dorman Freshman Campus, Teacher Ashley Pridgen
• 3rd Place – Banks Metcalf, “Icelandic Sheep” – Dorman Freshman Campus, Teacher Ashley Pridgen
• Honorable Mention – Benjamin Blair, “Abandoned Spaces I” – Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, Teacher Natasha McConnachie

 

In the Mixed Media category:

• 1st Place – Ryan Tuy, “Monarch” – Dorman High School, Teacher Robert Urban
• 2nd Place – Shaelyn Davis, “Paper Ghosts” – Greer High School, Teacher Allison Duncan
• 3rd Place – Erika Koshilko, “Song Bird” – Boiling Springs High School, Teacher Amanda Keith
• Honorable Mention – Kaylynne Holbert, “Screen Time” – Polk County High School, Teacher Jeff Thomas
• Honorable Mention – Brihanna Rodriguez, “Inner Pop” – Dorman High School, Teacher Robert Urban
• Honorable Mention – Anthony Jimenez Miguel, “Color Explosion” – Dorman Freshman Campus, Teacher Katie Karban

 

In the Sculpture category:

• 1st Place – Michaela Moore, “Sight” – Dorman High School, Teacher Amy Workman
• 2nd Place – Yudani Ortiz-Mendoza, “Out of Sorts” – Dorman High School, Teacher Amy Workman
• 3rd Place – Eden Vander Ploeg, “Thrill of the Hunt” – Dorman Freshman Campus, Teacher Ashley Pridgen
• Honorable Mention – Kushi Patel, “Flamingo” – Dorman High School, Teacher Amy Workman

 

The Showcase of Excellence is made possible by the North Carolina Arts Council and Duke Energy. 

“Congratulations to these talented artists and their teachers,” said TFAC’s Darlene Cah. “And many thanks to the sponsors and donors for their commitment which makes this program possible.”

Visitors at the gallery may vote for the People’s Choice Award, which will be announced at the closing of the show. For more information, visit tryonarts.org.