Students Honored in ‘Off the Wall’ Art Exhibit at Manassas’ Candy Factory

MANASSAS, Va — There are budding artists all across Prince William County, and many of them walked away with top honors in the “Off the Wall” art exhibit at Manassas’ Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory.

Many of the winners include students from Battlefield and Woodbridge high schools, but students from across the county participated the event. More in a press release from Prince William County Public Schools:

The award-winning work of budding young authors and aspiring artists is on display at the Caton Merchant Family Art Gallery in Old Town Manassas. Hundreds of high school students in Prince William, Manassas City, and Manassas Park Public Schools recently submitted entries in the juried “Off the Wall” Student Art and Poetry Festival.

Encouraged by their teachers, many of whom are professional artists, students put forth their best effort to create works for this competition. Hard work paid off with first, second, and third place in both categories awarded to students enrolled in the Woodbridge High School Center for Fine and Performing Arts and an additional nine honorable mentions to PWCS students.

The “Off the Wall” Student Art and Poetry Festival, now in its ninth year, is sponsored

by Lockheed Martin and the Center for the Arts/Caton Merchant Family Gallery.

“The arts programs in Prince William County Public Schools offer students many diverse and rich opportunities to develop and showcase their talents,” said Joyce Zsembery, curriculum supervisor of Arts. “Community support for students through juried shows such as “Off the Wall” provides students with additional recognition for their talents, and are appreciated by those of us involved in arts education. Community support for the arts is invaluable.”

PWCS students who were recognized for their achievement in the visual arts and poetry at the festival’s January 5 award ceremony are listed below.

Poetry Contest

1st Place: Brittany Crow,Woodbridge High School (second consecutive year)

2nd Place: Neil Hailey, Woodbridge High School

3rd Place: Mary DesJardin, Woodbridge High School

Visual Arts Contest

1st Place: Dara Merritt, Woodbridge High School

2nd Place: Catherine Winings, Woodbridge High School

3rd Place: Savannah Wichman, Woodbridge High School

Honorable Mention in poetry and art categories:

Brianna Washington, Woodbridge High School

Katie Vanderveldt, Battlefield High School

Bryan Simmons, Battlefield High School

Brooke Short, Battlefield High School

Kaitlyn Reeves, Patriot High School

Mary Kim, Battlefield High School

Jacqueline Javier, Battlefield High School

Genesis Flores-Aguilar, Woodbridge High School

Niklavs Barbars, Battlefield High School

Anna Mish, gallery director at the Center for the Arts, said this group of students and thier submitted artwork has been some of the best yet:

I am hearing from our visitors how this, so far, is the best overall exhibit of “Off the Wall” artwork we have had. The students truly raised the bar this year. After speaking to many of the students at the Open House on Saturday, I learned quite a few of them are seniors, so they have had past experience in preparing for the level of competition this exhibit brings. The sponsor, Lockheed Martin, and the Center for the Arts look forward each year to celebrating the achievements of a each new mix of artists.