Depictions of pets both real and straight from the imagination competed for top honors in a recent competition.

Thomas County Central High School students had the opportunity to participate in the One Book Thomas County Arts Exhibit and Contest.  Winners were announced during a reception at Thomas County Public Library on Monday, Oct. 2. TCCHS had six students place.

Loren Shepherd received an honorable mention in the “9th Grade” category; Breanna Watson earned second place and Kendall Lee obtained an honorable mention in the “10th Grade” category; and, Katie Weaver won first place, Cayson Livingston received second place, and Sherri Hall earned an honorable mention in the “11th/12th” category.

“I'm extremely proud of my students,” TCCHS art teacher Shelby Young said. “I pushed them to take things a step further and outside of many comfort zones all within a time constraint of approximately two weeks. They did amazing!”

Author Terry Kay and his book “To Dance with the White Dog” were this year’s One Book Thomas County featured guest and reading selection. A mysterious dog plays a key role in the story, which is the basis for this year’s art contest theme: “A Favorite Pet: Real or Imagined.”

The contest, according to its information sheet, was sponsored “to encourage appreciation of GA authors and Southern literature.” It was open to area youths in grades second through 12th.

Young felt the contest was a chance for her students to show their community what they could create with their artistic talent. She also challenged them to go further with the selected theme.?

?“I challenged them to take it a step further and create a pet portrait inspired by either steampunk or Fauvism - two opposite ends of the spectrum to best include all artist's preferences,” she said. “It was a challenge having so much freedom of choice, but they pushed themselves. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Awards were presented for first and second place and for an honorable mention per age division. The overall winner received $75. Age division winners received $25 each.

Entries had to be created this school year, had to meet a size requirement, be properly labeled, and had to be original works based on the theme. Only one piece per student could be submitted.  Approved mediums were pencil, colored pencil, crayon, marker or paint.

TCCHS student Sherri Hall earned an honorable mention in her grade category.

“It was a fun idea, and I like how my teacher gave me the steampunk challenge,” she said. “I drew a lion that gave hints of being robotic and naturalistic at the same time. It had ripped fur to expose the metal beneath and wings to expand up into the composition.”

Hall is proud to receive her award.

“I wasn't confident in my work, so it's an honor that it was recognized,” she said.

Young hopes entering contests such as this one will help her students “develop a sense of pride for their work.”

“You don't always have to be the ‘Picasso’ of the group,” she said. “Sometimes, it's more important to try your best and take pride in what you've accomplished. Confidence looks good on an artist.”

Student artworks were exhibited at the Thomas County Public Library throughout the One Book Thomas County celebration week.