JOSH DAVIS/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Worcester County Arts Council Executive Director Anna Mullis said the student art show opening on Friday in Berlin includes some of the best high school work she’s ever seen.

JOSH DAVIS/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Visitors to the Worcester County Arts Council in Berlin have until today, Thursday, to vote for the people’s choice award for an exhibition showcasing local high school artists. The award will be presented during an opening reception on Friday night.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Feb. 7, 2019) Student artists from the four Worcester County High Schools will compete for $1,400 in prizes this Friday during a contest and exhibit at the Worcester County Arts Council in Berlin.

The Berlin/Ocean City Optimists Club sponsors the annual Student Art Contest and Exhibit.

Arts Council Executive Director Anna Mullis said each school, Stephen Decatur High School, Snow Hill High School, Pocomoke High School and Worcester Preparatory School, is limited to 10 pieces, for a total of 40 in the exhibition.

“Basically, the fine art teachers in each high school had a hard job to make a selection of the best of the entries,” she said.

Mullis said the competition has two categories — painting and drawing — but out of that came a variety of compositions.

“Students can use all different techniques and different media, such as watercolor, acrylic, oils, tempera [and] charcoal, so they are all different,” she said.

All of the entries are on display and will remain up through the month.

“It’s amazing,” Mullis said of the submitted work. “We set up the show [last Thursday]. This is the third year we’re hosting the exhibition at the arts council and every year I’m just amazed. This year, I think, is the best I’ve ever seen. I’m really excited.”

An opening reception is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. and is open to the public. Refreshments will be provided and winners will be announced at 6 p.m.

Thomas Hogan, an artist and former art educator, will judge the majority of the entries. Monetary awards and ribbons will be given for first place, second place, third place and honorable mention in each category.

The public can also weigh in.

“We are asking the public to vote for a people’s choice award, so come in and view the work and vote for your favorite entry,” Mullis said.

Voting started last Friday and ends today, Thursday. To view the entries and vote for the people’s choice award, visit the Worcester County Arts Council gallery on 6 Jefferson Street in Berlin.

Later this month, the arts council will join the Delmarva Chef’s and Cook’s Association for an “Art of the Party” fundraiser at the Atlantic Hotel in Berlin. The fundraiser will present food as art and feature 10 different food stations prepared by area culinary programs, including The Atlantic Hotel, Harrison Group, Princess Royale, Handy Seafood Company, Center Plate and Worcester Technical High School.

Mullis said the event came together because Phil Cropper, who heads the culinary program at Worcester Technical High School, is also on the arts council board.

“He’s a talented chef and it’s going to be a very exciting event,” Mullis said. “We are raising money for culinary arts students and it’s also a fundraiser for the Worcester County Arts Council.

“Since we are also offering scholarships for students each year, we are considering adding culinary arts for next year as a scholarship base,” she continued. “We’re really excited about that … come to the party!”

Tickets, $45 and limited to 100, are available through Eventbrite. For more information, visit www.worcestercountyartscouncil.org or www.delmarvachefs.com