Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Suffolk Art League, in cooperation with the Suffolk Fine Arts Commission, presents the Exhibit of Excellence: Suffolk Student Art 2024 at the Suffolk Art Gallery, 118 Bosley Ave. This juried exhibit features artwork by Suffolk’s 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th-grade students. The Exhibit of Excellence will be on view through March 1.

To be eligible to enter, students must live in or attend school in Suffolk and be in grades 9 – 12. Students included in the exhibit represent Kings Fork, Lakeland, and Nansemond River High Schools, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy-Upper School, and The Governor’s School for the Arts and Homeschool.

This year, 128 students entered 209 artworks to be juried and of those, the juror, Devon Lawrence, artist and educator, selected 103 artworks for the exhibit. “It was an honor to have had the privilege of judging and jurying the Suffolk Student Art 2024 exhibition,” Lawrence said in a press release. “The depth of talent displayed by the high school students in this showcase is truly commendable. As a juror, I was impressed by the diversity of artistic expressions, technical prowess, and the profound creativity evident in each submission. The commitment and passion displayed by these young artists reflect not only their individual growth but also the collective artistic spirit of Suffolk.”

In addition to selecting the artwork to be included in the exhibit, McGlamory selected nine works of art to receive awards. 

Best in Show: 

Ashley Rebeca Barrios Marroquin, “Stephen Parker,” Acrylic & Mixed Media, King’s Fork High School

First Place: 

Lily Fox, “Turning the Page” Mixed Media and “The Story of Notre-Dame,” Encaustic, Mixed Media, Graphite Transfer, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy

Second Place: 

Rachel West, “1860’s Ballgown”, Textile, and “Art Studio Diorama,” Mixed Media, Art Ventures

Third Place: 

Aubrey Slattery, “The Captain of Yellow Submarine,” White Stoneware, Acrylic, Mixed Media, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy

Honorable Mentions:

Adi Barot, “Euphoria,” Digital Photography, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy

Thomas Cooke, “Dual Personality,” Digital Photography, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy

Cayla Middleton, “See you later, Alligator,” Plexiglas, Glass, Acrylic, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy.

Jamal Thomas, “Dali’s Landscape,” Cut Paper Collage, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy

Alli Walls, “Sunrise,” Digital Photography, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy

“The selected pieces for the Exhibit of Excellence stand as a testament to the rigorous judging process, emphasizing artistic merit, originality, and the ability to communicate compelling narratives through visual language. The artists showcased here have demonstrated a keen understanding of their craft and provided a glimpse into the future of the arts in Suffolk, ” said Lawrence. “Congratulations to the featured students. Your work not only enriches this exhibition but contributes significantly to the cultural tapestry of your community. May this experience be a stepping stone in your artistic journey, inspiring both your peers and those who have the privilege of engaging with your creations.”

The Exhibit of Excellence: Suffolk Student Art will be displayed at the Suffolk Art Gallery through March 1. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. The Gallery is free and open to the public. For more information about this and other programs the Suffolk Art League offers, contact the Art League office at 757-925-0448, the Suffolk Art Gallery at 757-514-7284, or visit www.suffolkartleague.com.