Several Clearview Regional High School Art students were given a top award in the annual Italian Heritage Juried Art Show in Vineland on Oct. 26.
More than seventy-five art students from throughout South Jersey participated in the exhibit at the Vineland Public Library.
Senior Nick Matalucci, sophomore Tiana Camacho and junior Helaina Toth were among 20 first-place winners at the show and the only three from Clearview. They earned $125 cash prizes and ribbons for their work. Senior Alana Morales’ piece was one of only three ‘Best in Show’ winners, earning $200 and a ribbon for her graphite drawing.
Matalucci drew a distorted picture of his art teacher, Dennis Weaver, called “Fathead Weav” for a project in which students needed to draw a warped depiction of an object. He drew the piece using a pencil and wants to give it to Weaver when he graduates.
“It’s just always been a hobby for me,” said Matalucci. “I just enjoy doing it.”
Toth took a picture of her two dogs, Chewy and Rocky, then depicted it using scratchboard. She scratched off dark ink to reveal a white layer beneath. After high school, she plans to go to art school on the East Coast.
Morales drew a pair of shoes that were initially for a class assignment last school year, and worked on the project for two weeks. Her inspiration stems from growing up with an artist father.
“I grew up with art in my life,” she said.
Camacho, whose mother was an artist in South America, experimented with charcoal to complete a piece depicting her friend wearing shoes.
Winning an award was unexpected for each of the students, but what was most surprising were the cash prizes.
“I thought it would be like 30 bucks, but when I got in the car and opened up the envelope, I thought it was cool to get paid for my art,” said Camacho.
