The Portage High School Art Department is pleased to announce its First Annual Art Show to be held February 26 through March 12 at the Portage University Center on Central Avenue. The show is entitled Art on the Lake and will feature all different media.
"We have invited each high school art teacher in Porter County to submit three pieces," PHS art co-chair Paula Wiese said. "We are expecting between 60 and 70 pieces of fine art.
"The works will be on display for two weeks, beginning Wednesday, February 26. People can view them during the Center's business hours from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It will be in the west end of the building where the plan commission presently resides."
This is a judged show. The Awards Ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, at 6 p.m.
"We would like to give out as many monetary awards to the students as possible. We are looking for organizations or individuals to act as art patrons for this show. People who wish to support the arts can contact Wanda Rick or me at the high school. Anyone who gives a $50 or larger donation may give a prize to one of the winners in their own name. If they wish, they may come to awards ceremony and present the award in person."
Ivy Tech, one of the schools who will have classes there when the University Center opens, is offering a certificate for one class as a prize.
"That's a great award," Wiese said. "It's worth $300 – 400, and it can provide a new learning experience for a young artist."
For years Valparaiso University held a juried secondary school art show open to area high schools. Since the university is not having that show this year, Portage art teachers organized this show to give students an opportunity to display their work in a more pubic venue than just their own high school.
"We want them to know that art is of value," Wiese said, "and it's the perfect opportunity for the public to see the amazing art that our youth are capable of creating."
If you wish to sponsor a prize, please contact Wiese or Rice at 764-6097 or 764-6094 paula.wiese@portage.k12.in.us or wanda.rice@portage.k12.in.us