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Young artists’ works on display at SAMA: Students reflect what’s special to them

Jenny Jameson sketched her music box in such detail, you can see its tiny dancer and the reflection in its glass door of a nearby candle. Its clock is stuck on 4:30.

The charcoal drawing by the Altoona Area High School senior is one of more than 200 pieces now on display at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Loretto as part of its 18-year tradition of celebrating the area’s talented young artists.

“Artists of the 21st Century” is on display now through April 9.

“I’m fascinated with light sources and reflections,” said Jameson, 18. “That is why I have a lot of reflection in this piece. I hope to get better at it.”

It’s also only her second serious charcoal piece – she drew actor Johnny Depp last year for the exhibition – and she wants to get better with that medium.

Jameson, who has been studying art since sixth grade, has not yet seen her art hanging on the SAMA wall, but it’s not the first time or only venue where her art has been shown. She and her fellow students are gearing up for another appearance in the Blair County Arts Festival this spring.

“It’s surprising to be noticed because, to me, a lot of people are better than I am,” she said, adding that “it’s a great feeling” to know her artwork is hanging in the SAMA exhibit.

Jameson’s Advanced Placement (AP) art teacher Sharon Wall said her students’ works also have exhibited at several art festivals, libraries and at Blair Medical Station.

“All these venues help to elevate their art in their own eyes,” Wall said. SAMA “is a very prestigious place to exhibit. (Students) can put this on their resumes. The whole show is very impressive.”

SAMA displays the student artwork in conjunction with National Youth Art Month and part of its Arts-in-Education program, said Jessica Campbell, SAMA education coordinator. Through that program, museum educators travel to public and parochial schools to provide lessons designed to enhance students’ understanding of art creation, technique, history, criticism and aesthetics.

Students from 23 schools in Bedford, Blair, Cambria and Somerset counties are allowed to participate in the exhibition. Those schools from Blair County include Altoona Area Junior and High schools, Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School and Penn-Mont Academy.

A similar display is at the Ligonier Valley location of SAMA, where just more than 100 pieces of student art are on exhibit.

“This exhibition has become a favorite of mine,” Campbell said. “Unpacking, arranging and hanging the art is like going on an adventure. It’s exciting to see what each school is creating and to see the pride and accomplishment in the faces of the students.”

Gary Moyer, executive director of SAMA, said students learn about more than just art when they’re creating their work.

“Not only is it art, that’s history,” he said, pointing to a group project depicting the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima during World War II. “I’m amazed at the depth and breadth of the talent of the students in this region,” he added.

Wall, an AAHS art teacher for 28 years, said many of her students plan a future in art. Jameson said it likely won’t be her field of study because she doesn’t think art as a career is very stable. She plans to create art while pursuing a veterinarian career in the long term.

Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High senior Mikayla Mignogna said she’s also not pursuing an art career even though she has loved it since about fourth grade and will continue to pursue it on the side.

Mignogna’s colored pencil work of a Spanish-style house is so detailed you can see the shadow of palm fronds dancing on the red-tile roof. She said the house holds many memories for her as it is in the Dominican Republic where her family often vacations.

“Between the unique architecture and memorable value the house had for me, I knew it would be a perfect subject to draw,” Mignogna added.

Jameson said the artifacts in her charcoal came from her bedroom at home and hold special meaning. She made the candleholder from a soda can. The music box was a gift from a friend.

“I don’t get to see her much anymore, so it’s special to me.”

Mirror Life Writer Cherie Hicks is at 949-7030.

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