Student Achievement Awards were presented in a variety of media with first place winners receiving $500 each, second place winners earning $300 and third place finishers taking home $200. All three from the painting category are Hemet High School students. They are Chrissie Bugendyment, “Hills Burn in California, first; Valerina Hernandez, “Lost in the Forest,” second; and Jazmine Martinez, “Man and Moth,” third.

For the first time, an “Other 2D” category was offered. First place went to Ethan Arevalo from West Valley High School for “Pier Reflections,” second place to Valerina Hernandez from Hemet High for “Bumble Bee,” and third place to Alexia Leon from Tahquitz High School for “The Long Summer.”

Awards for best in photography were given to Lillian Gutierrez from the Academy of Innovation for “The Vivid Platter” as the first-place winner, Natalie Manquez from Tahquitz High School for “Journey Through Peaks” as second place, and Dazy Delong from Tahquitz High School for “Interlude” as the third-place winner.

The ceramics category brought out even more creativity and those who took home the top honors were Damien Ascencio from West Valley High School for his “Tooth and Brain,” first place; Nadir Landin from West Valley High for “Moon Rocket,” second place; and Paula Terrazas from Hemet High for “The Bloom and the Burial,” third place.

All student art that was entered into the competition was on display as well as the works of HVAA members, including those by HVAA 2024 Photographer of the Year Art Majerus and 2024 Artist of the Year Betty Pilley. There were also five art demonstrators. There was an artist using watercolor/mixed media, one whose specialty is custom painted gourds, a full-fledged basket weaver, a clay modeler, and an artist demonstrating pour painting. There was seating available at each of their stations, and they willingly shared their techniques with guests who had questions.

The always popular array of raffle prizes piqued the interest of many ticket buyers. Baskets of goodies from art supplies and gardening tools to wine and cheese hampers satisfied a wide variety of interests. Proceeds from the raffles, silent auction and ticket sales will help fund next year’s Student Achievement Awards.

Sponsors Valerie Drummer, State Farm Insurance, and Steve Kosta, Century 21 Masters, were an integral part of this year’s event. The members of HVAA are grateful for their support of the nonprofit organization whose art center and gallery is in Downtown Hemet at 144 N. Harvard St. Classes for children and adults of all skill levels are offered throughout the year. All winning art pieces by students will be on display at the art center through the month of April.

For more information, 951-652-4592 or www.hemetvalleyart.com.

Sheryl Cooley contributed to this article.

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