High Schoolers' Winning Art at the Pump House

The Pump House Center for the Arts started their year with an opening for “The Best of Ross County” Thursday evening.

Judged artwork from Ross County high school students drew what may have been a record crowd, and highlighted a dozen winners...all of them girls. Kevin Coleman caught two of them at their artwork.

  • Bayla Tucker, a CHS junior, won first place with "The Girl in the Wind." She created a face with black watercolor, but sort of reversed the painting process by using masking fluid - which she painted on, painted over, then peeled off.
  • Audrey Wright, a Unioto junior, won third place with "Reylo." She visually told the conflicting story of Star Wars character Kylo Ren / Ben Solo, along with Rey.

Savannah Fout of Southeastern, who shared her own show two years ago, won best of show. The show is up through February 25th at the Pump House Center for the Arts in Chillicothe's Yoctangee Park.

The interview and (soon) the photos and the list of winners are below.

Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom or Kevin Coleman

The winners list, provided by the Pump House

Best of Show - Savannah Fout "The Art Behind the Mirror" SE

1st Place - Bayla Tucker-Heages "The Girl in the Wind" CHS

2nd Place - Josie Vallette "Mixed Memories" UN

3rd Place - Audrey Wright "Reylo" UN

Honorable Mentions:

1. Addison Mohan "Through Her Eyes" UN

2. Camille Sparks "Divine Feminine" UN

3. Meredith Renault "Free Therapy" UN

4. Autumn Stanger "Through the Wire" UN

5. Makayla Bennett "Music in Bloom" UN

6. Paige Huggins "Gazelle" CHS

7. Alexis Bader "Beauty Within" UN

8. Caroline Watts "Seeing Gold" UN

Judge's Statement, from Nancy Crawford

The 2023 "Best of Ross County" includes some amazing and varied works of art! This is a wonderful opportunity for the students and teachers to display their talents. The show includes many different mediums and subjects. It was an exciting challenge for me to judge. The winning artworks displayed maturity and unique perspectives in a creative approach. Ross County teens have outdone themselves this year!

Sponsors

Atomic Employees Credit Union - Dustin Alley

Chillicothe Art League - Judy Summers

Teachers

Unioto - Ann Van Voorhis

Huntington - Kristen Huber

Southeastern - Brian Marks

Chillicothe - Lori Dan

Paint Valley - Tracy Brill

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    The Pump House Center for the Arts started their new year with an opening February 2nd, 2023, for high schoolers' art in “The Best of Ross County."

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    The crowd gathers! (And is hungry for Hooks.)

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    Pump House director John Layne emcees the opening February 2nd, 2023, for high schoolers' art in “The Best of Ross County."

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    The winner line up - all girls.

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    Savannah Fout of Southeastern (with her parents), who shared her own show two years ago, won best of show.

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    Audrey Wright (L), a Unioto junior, won third place with "Reylo." Bayla Tucker (R), a CHS junior, won first place with "The Girl in the Wind."

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    Four of the winners with their art.

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    Josie Valette won second place with "Mixed Memories," another dance video - along with her tap dance shoes and the paint she danced in.

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