ALAMOSA — Del Norte High School student Laura Williams’ portrait “Arin” won Best in Show in the San Luis Valley Museum’s 16th Annual All Valley Art Show.

The winners were recognized during a reception on Sunday at the museum in Alamosa. Laura Williams won $100 for earning the top award in the juried show, and her school received $250. In addition, a drawing was held of the participating schools, and Sargent’s art program received $500.

SLV Museum Office Manager Joyce Gunn explained the judging process, carefully and thoroughly performed by judges Ruth Dixon, Cathy Morin and Mary Susan Eldredge. The judges would individually consider each art piece up close and at a distance and then collectively review the pieces and their notes to come up with the winners, Gunn explained.

“If you received an honorable mention, you have achieved something,” she said.

All San Luis Valley schools were invited to participate, and 15 schools submitted student artwork for the show this year including middle and high schools from across the Valley. Art ranged from three-dimensional to paintings and etchings.

SLV Museum Board President Dorothy Brandt commended Gunn for her work in bringing the art show together. Brandt also encouraged youth and adults to take advantage of the museum and its offerings and events, such as the art show.

“This museum belongs to you,” she said. “This museum is going nowhere but up.”

Alamosa County Administrator and Former State Senator Gigi Dennis also spoke during the awards reception on Sunday at the museum. Not an artist herself, Dennis said she appreciates artwork and enjoys looking at it and purchasing it. She said every student who participated in the show was a winner. She acknowledged the students’ talent and encouraged them to continue to follow their inspiration. She also encouraged the students to learn from everyone they meet, even those they don’t like.

“Continue to live your dreams,” Dennis encouraged.

Brandt added, “I am so proud of you.”

Brandt acknowledged the student artists, their parents and their teachers who encouraged them.
Brandt concluded the awards ceremony with the quote, “As long as there’s art and music, there’s hope.”

Pictured above are first place high school photography winner Hailee Velasquez, Del Norte High School; Best in Show winner Laura Williams, Del Norte High School; Museum Board President Dorothy Brandt; Museum Board Member Dolores Chavez; and Alamosa County Administrator Gigi Dennis.

Following are the award winners:

MIDDLE SCHOOL

FILM/PHOTOGRAPHY
1ST Place Mallory Carbutt-Sargent Middle School

CERAMICS
1ST Place Savona Thomas-Weaving-Sargent MS
2nd Place Stephen Filippi-Paper Sea-Creede MS
3rd Place John Twite-Big Eye-Creede MS

PAINT/PENCIL
1ST Place Mamie Hess-Girl in Grass-Creede MS
2nd Place Lindsey Gammill-Cotton Tail-Creede MS
3rd Place Ryan Tijerina-Colors-Sierra Grande MS

HIGH SCHOOL

FILM/PHOTOGRAPHY
1ST Place Hailee Velasquez-West Fork-Del Norte
2nd Place Ethan Reschke-Brooklyn Bridge-Sargent HS
3rd Place Shawn Vasquez-Blue Trees-Centauri

CERAMICS
1st Place Andres Fuentes-Bear-Monte Vista
2nd Place Lydia Ross-Seahorse & Turtle-Centauri
3rd Place Tucker Jones-Native-Monte Vista

PAINT/PENCIL
1st Place Jose Romero-Cat-Centauri
2nd Place Emilee Haefeli-Eye of the Beholder-Del Norte
3rd Place Alicia Martinez-Opaque Watercolor-Alamosa

BEST IN SHOW
LAURA WILLIAMS-Arin-Del Norte High School

HONORABLE MENTION
Esperanza Carrillo-“Roadside”-Sargent MS
Jaylyn Gomez-Dragonflies-Sargent MS
Makayla Rafael-Sneakers-Sargent MS
Leah Yanze-Self-Monte Vista HS
Hannah Mitchell-Octopus-Sargent HS
Adela Lucero-Color through the Ages-Sierra Grande HS
Laura Williams-My Perspective-Del Norte HS
Shanesa Sanchez-Dancer-Monte Vista HS
Andres Fuentes-Abandoned-Monte Vista HS