The variety of talented student artwork rivaled the selection of delectable eats and entertaining attractions during the Exchange Club of Thomasville’s Deep South Fair.

More than 20 Thomas County Central High School art students earned awards during the 2017 Deep South Fair Youth Art Show held earlier this month. There were two divisions and various categories within each one that TCCHS students could enter: 9th/10th and 11th/12th divisions and categories such as ink, paper sculpture, printmaking and watercolor.

“I'm always proud of my students’ success – especially with how many ribbons we brought back – and I beam with pride when they get to see that others outside of the classroom value their artwork as well,” teacher Shelby Young said.

Sophomore Shea Singletary earned first place in paper sculpture for her spiral paper vase with violet flowers.

“I was surprised that I placed first,” she said. “It means a lot to me because my sister is normally the artist in my family. I got really excited when I saw my place at the fair.”

Sophomore Emma Funderburk entered the show because she loves competition and trying her best to succeed. She earned first place in two of her division’s categories: ink and watercolor.

“I’m really excited about placing, and it makes me happy to be a part of the fair and to have won…,” she said.

Funderburk, who has loved to draw since age 3, said shows like this one “make me more confident in my art.”

Junior Nykema Simmons, who earned honorable mentions in two categories, said the pieces she entered were examples of “the versatility” of her art skills.

“I enjoy being able to show different sides of myself in my artwork,” she said.

Senior Caylin Dollar enjoys “seeing what I can really make using different materials” in order to produce a unique work. Dollar entered a papier-mâché mask featuring a design of various shapes, the painting of which she calls her favorite part of the process. She felt the mask was her best eligible work because of the time and effort she put into creating it. The piece earned third in her division’s paper sculpture category.

“I feel honored to see my artwork hanging up in an art show holding a ribbon,” Dollar said.

Junior Sheila Escareno enjoys sculpting pieces, “especially the tough projects,” because they let her know “what I’m capable of creating.” Entering shows help Escareno because they make her even more determined to continue improving her art.

Escareno said her winning fox creation, “Fall Fox,” is “the best project” she’s ever done. Her favorite animal is the fox and she fashioned her piece using newspaper, tape, paste and paint.

“I have never used warm colors,” she said. “I always used cool, but I wanted to try something new. Plus, a fox is orange.”

Encouragement from her parents and instruction by her former art teacher Jocelyn Rivard motivated Escareno to finish her fox project.

“I felt great and relieved because I wanted to make my parents and Mrs. Rivard proud,” she said of her win. “It meant a lot to me that when I saw the ribbon on there, I knew all my hard work had paid off.”

Junior Juan Lopez likes expressing himself on paper through his creations. He entered the show to challenge his artistic ability. In his division, Lopez won first in painting for his acrylic dog, “Snyper,” and second in drawing for his ketchup bottle man, “Man with Heinz.”

“I hoped to walk away with an award,” he said. “I felt I had a really good chance to be one of the best.”

Though some recognized students interviewed – Lopez included – felt they could still improve their craft, all were happy to see their work honored.

Young helped determine which student pieces to enter.

“Many judges look for technical competence in artworks,” she said. “In addition to looking for this, I select the pieces that best utilize the elements of art and principles of design. I also take into consideration the students who are giving me their best effort. Sometimes seeing the work displayed somewhere gives students an extra push to challenge themselves a bit more.”

TCCHS Deep South Fair Youth Art Show Honorees

9/10 Paper Sculpture

Shea Singletary ~ 1^st  

Alex Espinosa ~ 2^nd  

Auburn Mobley ~ 3^rd  

Ashanti Thomas ~ Honorable Mention

9/10 Clay Sculpture

Brylee McNichols ~ 2^nd  

Hannah Whittle ~ 3^rd

9/10 Ink

Emma Funderburk ~ 1^st

Josh Fielding ~ Honorable Mention

9/10 Printmaking

Kaitlyn Greene ~ 3^rd

Brylee McNichols ~ Honorable Mention

9/10 Watercolor

Emma Funderburk ~ 1^st

Miriam Van Veen ~ 3^rd

9/10 Collage

Breanna Watson ~ 2^nd

11/12 Clay Sculpture

Riley Singletary ~ 1^st

11/12 Paper Sculpture

Sheila Escareno ~ 1^st  

Jennifer Wilson ~ 2^nd  

Caylin Dollar ~ 3^rd

Starla Fortier ~ Honorable Mention

11/12 Oil Pastel

Beisy Lopez ~ 1^st

Katie Weaver ~ 3^rd  

Nykema Simmons ~ Honorable Mention

11/12 Printmaking

Malori Deen ~ 1^st

Starla Fortier ~ 2^nd

Emily Hiers ~ 3^rd

Jennifer Wilson ~ Honorable Mention

11/12 Painting

Juan Lopez ~ 1^st

11/12 Watercolor

Katie Weaver ~ 1^st  

Cynthia Ramos ~ Honorable Mention

11/12 Ink

Faithlyn Bowers ~ 1^st

11/12 Drawing

Katie Weaver ~ 1^st

Juan Lopez ~ 2^nd

11/12 Colored Pencils

Sarah Kefalas ~ 1^st & 3^rd

Nykema Simmons ~ Honorable Mention

11/12 Mixed Media

Katie Weaver ~ 1^st

Naysia Sanford ~ 2^nd

Alandria Miley ~ Honorable Mention