High school students display art

Students from Carbondale Community High School displayed their artistic talents Thursday night in the school's main hallway with the hopes of receiving a few hundred dollars.

The Beta Eta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha played host to the exhibit, which awarded $300 for first place, $200 for second and $100 for third. The awards were made possible through the sponsorships of both local businesses and greek and non-greek organizations on campus.

Carbondale Community High School art instructors Connie Morgan, Frances Swedlund and Gloria Jones had the daunting task of picking through the multitude of entries and selecting the six finalists for the competition part of Thursday's exhibition. Although all works for the contest were on display, the finalists were signified with yellow ribbons. Separate judges made their top three selections from these pieces.

"It was very hard for us the judge the pieces," said Morgan, who has taught art at the high school for six years. "We really had to just take ourselves out of it and try to judge the best work." University professor Najjar Abdul-Musawwir, one of two judges Thursday night, said he was impressed by the overall exhibition and the students' use of their specific mediums.

The show featured various types of artwork, including sculptures, paintings, photography and sketches. John Torphy, a senior who will study art and design at the University in the fall, took first place for his photo spread, which used three photographs of a young girl to show the burdens placed on youth. "In one photo, she's standing in thorns, and if she moves any direction, they'll hurt her," Torphy said. "The idea is that children are burdened at a young age by things they shouldn't have to deal with."

Casey Worrell was awarded second and Melissa Evans third. Katey Karayiannis, a senior who will attend SIUC in the fall, was one of the finalists in the competition. She said although she didn't win, she was surprised and pleased just to be in the finals, especially once she saw the quality of the other entries.

"There is a lot of good artwork," she said. Coleman said the winners were judged for the use of their medium, presentation and formal style.

Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members announced the competition to the students at the beginning of the semester, although the group had been organizing the even since last year.

"I was very much impressed by the diversity in mediums," Coleman said. "I didn't expect sculptures, but everything was very impressive." This is the first time the Beta Eta chapter has sponsored the art exhibition, but Coleman said they are hoping to make it an annual tradition.

"I thought this would be a good thing to introduce to the high schools," said Volcue Coleman, who organized the event. "There's not a lot of grant money or scholarships for artists ... this can be used for art supplies, books, etc."