Carroll artist sends two pieces to Ohio Governor's Youth Art Competition
Samantha Yates '23 has earned two placements at the 2021 Ohio Governor's Youth Art Competition. The pieces will go on to the state judging and, if chosen, will be exhibited in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in downtown Columbus.
"I am very proud of Samantha's accomplishment," Carroll Visual Arts Department Chair Renee Merland said. "The Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition has always been very selective and competitive in nature. It is quite an honor for a student to be awarded one piece into this competition, let alone two pieces like Samantha! The advancement of both her pieces is a testament to her incredible artistic ability and potential."
Samantha's works:
- "Swimming in a Sea of Memories" (Chalk Pastel)
- "The Life of a Lady Bug" (Colored Pencil)
The Catholic Telegraph - Sam Wittmann: Carroll High School Student Blends Faith and Art
Editor's Note: The full version of this story appears in the February 2021 issue of the Catholic Telegraph Magazine. Visit their website to read the entire story.
Sam Wittmann is not a typical high school junior. He’s an exceptional artist who has drawn the connection between his art and his faith, thanks to a class assignment.
“The project was a study of drawing hands from life,” explained Renee Merland, chair of the visual arts department at Carroll High School in Dayton. “Students used their own hands as their reference and chose one object to hold in their hand that was symbolic or meaningful to their life.”
The result was an assortment of artwork featuring childhood toys or small stuffed animals – even favorite foods and beverages made the cut. Against the backdrop of typical teenage memories, Wittmann’s work, a color pencil drawing of his right hand holding a rosary, showed profound depth, both artistically and spiritually.