A select group of 25 high school seniors from Santa Rosa County were able to show off their artistic talents at the Dragonfly Gallery in Milton.
Throughout the month of February, the ‘Top 25 Senior Artists of Santa Rosa County’ had their artwork, which was selected by judges with the Santa Rosa County School District, on display in the Milton art gallery’s feature room.
Click here to view photos from the 'Top 25 Senior Artists of Santa Rosa County' art display and reception
In addition to having the opportunity of having their work displayed in a local art gallery, each of the students will receive an a certificate and a medallion which can be worn during their graduation ceremony.
Kathleen Tracey, who works both as an arts instructor at Pace High School and a middle school and high school arts administrator with the school district, said the level of talent in the senior art shows continues to rise.
“I do feel like this one of our strongest shows,” she said.
Many of the Tracey’s students are presented in the ‘Top 25’ gallery five of her students had art pieces on display in the Dragonfly Gallery.
“It’s a little bit of a feather in your cap (as an art instructor), cause you taught them for four years and it’s nice to see them achieve that,” she said.
One of her students is Daniel Cameron, whose art piece ‘Despair’ was featured on display in the gallery. Cameron was among the many students from Santa Rosa County high schools on hand to celebrate the gallery’s final night of display on Thursday night.
Those who look at Cameron’s piece can depict it in more than one way, he said.
“If you look at the piece there is a girl in the eye,” he said. “Some people will either see it as apathetic…where as other people will see as somebody who is suffering.”
Cameron considers this work to be among his favorite pieces of artwork.
As for the future, Cameron is interested in pursuing a collegiate career, whether it’s working in illustration or creating comics.
“I like to create things that people will see,” he said.
Cameron’s work was only one form of artwork on display at the gallery, other exhibits displayed creativity in photography, pottery and textiles amongst others.
Brie Perdue, a senior at Gulf Breeze High School, had a clay-based pottery sculpture featuring a detailed leaf pattern.
While Perdue isn’t considering pursuing a career in art, she is interested in continuing to work with pottery on the side.
The 18-year-old also said working with pottery in school provided an creative outlet from other classes and school activities.
“This is one of the first things that I have ever hand built,” she said.
Perdue said she is honored to have her work on display at the show.
“There has been like 1600 entries and this my second year in pottery and it’s just honor to be here,” she said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Local high school seniors show off artwork in ‘Top 25’ show (PHOTOS)