The 10th annual Student Art Show opening reception was recently held at Virginia Tech’s Reynolds Homestead celebrated the creativity and dedication of local high school students.
The exhibition showcases more than 130 works of art created by 98 students from Patrick County High School, Magna Vista High School, and Bassett High School, highlighting a range of artistic media including painting, drawing, and three-dimensional and mixed media pieces.
The Student Art Show has steadily grown into a cornerstone event at the Reynolds Homestead, celebrating artistic expression in youth across the region.
“This exhibition has become an annual celebration of the incredible creativity and artistic talent of our area’s youth,” said Sarah Wray, Reynolds Homestead community engagement, partnerships, and programming manager, during the ceremony. “Each year, we are amazed by both the quality and emotional depth students bring to their work.”
The show and awards were made possible through strong community partnerships, including support from Bull Mountain Arts, a local nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to the arts and supporting regional emerging artists. Bull Mountain Arts provided prize funding for student awards, reinforcing its mission to nurture creative opportunities throughout Patrick County and the surrounding areas.
The exhibition was judged by two accomplished local artists, Donald Towns and Mavel Vinova, who reviewed submissions across multiple categories and provided detailed feedback to student artists. Towns, a professional fine artist and former animation background painter and art director for Walt Disney Pictures, and Vinova, a contemporary self-taught artist known for her symbolic and expressive acrylic works, praised both the technical skill and authenticity found throughout the collection.
In addition to the awards listed below, a Best in Show award was presented to Ashantis Madison of Patrick County High School for A Woman in Bloom.
The Student Art Show is on display weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artworks are available for purchase, with proceeds directly supporting student artists.
At the close of the reception, Mavel Vinova, judge, encouraged students and emphasized the importance of continuing to create not only for recognition, but for personal growth and well-being.
“Keep going, keep growing, and keep letting your voice shine — the world needs you,” she said.
Category 1: Painting
• First Place: Ashantis Madison, A Woman in Bloom
• Second Place: Kaydence Harman, Pure Women
• Third Place: Alyssa Overby, A Glow In The Dark
• Honorable Mention: Sarah Beth Cassell, Phantom Revenge
Category 2: Drawing – Black & White
• First Place: Corrynn McAlexander, Light In The Dark
• Second Place: Sarah Beth Cassell, My Child and I
• Third Place: Ethan White, Three Apples
• Honorable Mention: Gracie Marshall, Self Portrait
Category 3: Drawing – Color
• First Place: Quinn Cundiff, Dreamsicle Desktop
• Second Place: Madison Cline, Bleu Incantinique
• Third Place: Midori Waycaster, Cerise
• Honorable Mention: Savannah Lawrence, Mosaic Moo
Category 4: 3 D (Any Medium)
• First Place: Kaydence Harman, Cloaked
• Second Place: Xena Wilcox, Variation of Starry Night
• Third Place: Nicolette Kendrick, Dragon Clay Sculpture
• Honorable Mention: Michael Perez, Skate Guitar
