Photo Provided Gathered during the opening reception of the Reginal High School Student Art Exhibition are, front row from left, show juror/artist Kyle Ethan Fischer; Katie Neumann, first place painting; Braden Robinson, Best of Show and scholarship winner; Hannah Kemp, first place drawing; Oglebay Institute president Danielle McCracken; second row from left, Oglebay Institute curator of exhibitions Michael McKowen; Sara Hirayama, second place painting and third place photography; Jenna Piatt, second place drawing; Dr. Teri Giobbia, West Virginia University; third row from left, Antonia Sigmon, third place painting; Alexandria Moeller, honorable mention drawing; Lilli Liskanich, second place photography; Brian Fencl, West Liberty University; back row from left, Aman Jimbo, honorable mention photography; Nicole McCorkle, honorable mention painting and Jimmy Nalley, second place 3-D/mixed media.

WHEELING — Oglebay Institute fosters and celebrates the talent and creativity of young artists as evidenced by the annual Regional High School Student Art Exhibition, which opened Jan. 11 with a public reception and awards ceremony at the Stifel Fine Arts Center. Several students received cash prizes for their work, and one area student was awarded a full tuition scholarship to West Virginia University. Others received scholarships to West Liberty University.

The Regional Student Art Exhibit provides high school students the opportunity to display their artwork in a professional gallery, see what other students are doing in the world of art and collaborate and get feedback from art teachers, college professors and other students from throughout the region. The show is part of Oglebay Institute’s art exhibition season, which is sponsored by United Bank.

For the past five years, West Virginia University’s School of Art and Design has offered a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to one student artist participating in OI’s Regional Student Art Show. Braden Robinson of Union Local High School is the 2018 scholarship recipient. Dr. Teri Giobbia, art education coordinator at WVU, selected Robinson as the winner on behalf of WVU’s College of Creative Arts.

Robinson along with Antonia Sigmon from Olney Friends School also received scholarship offers in the amount of $1,500 to attend West Liberty University. Brian Fencl, professor of art at WLU, selected the recipients and presented the scholarship offers in conjunction with the show.

The Regional Student Art Show is in its 29th year. More than 200 pieces were submitted and 123 were selected for the exhibit after being juried by contemporary artist Kyle Ethan Fischer. Fischer is a member of the Studio Mechanics Union IATSE 489. He has completed more than 20 feature films and television productions as a scenic artist and sculptor, most recently finishing the critically acclaimed film adaptation of August Wilson’s “Fences,” “Where’d You go Bernadette,” starring Cate Blanchett, and the WGN network television hit “Outsiders.”

Fischer has exhibited his work at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, the Westmoreland Museum of Art as well as being shown in Toronto, New York, the Aqua Art Fair at Art Basel in Miami, Fla. and the L.A. Art Show.

Dozens of students representing 13 high schools in Ohio and West Virginia are featured in the show. Participating high schools include: Bridgeport, Martins Ferry, Buckeye Local, Union Local, Wheeling Park, Linsly, St. Clairsville, Bellaire, Wheeling Central, River, Olney, Monroe Central and Speiro Academy.

The annual Regional Student Art Exhibit is open to students in grades 9-12 within a 50-mile radius of Wheeling.

Prizes were awarded for Best of Show and to the top three students in four categories — painting, photography, drawing and 3-D/mixed media. Four students received honorable mentions.

The show can be viewed free of charge now through Feb. 16 at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center, 1330 National Road, Wheeling. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturdays. Evening hours are dependent on classes and special events taking place.

For more information, visit www.oionline.com or call 304-242-7700.