Contributed by Michael Ganci, Syntax, for The Bronxville School

Jan. 24, 2018:  Three Bronxville High School students – Lilly Martin, Viktoria Schmuck, and Vance Wood – have their artwork on display at the prestigious OSilas Gallery at Concordia College as part of the gallery’s 12th annual StArt Regional High Schools Exhibition through January 21.

The annual exhibition showcases the work of 91 talented high school students from 31 public and private schools across Westchester, Fairfield, and Rockland counties and the Bronx. During the opening reception on January 11, judges critiqued the students’ work, which ranged from paintings and drawings to ceramics to photography.

Wood, a junior, was among six students to receive a certificate of excellence for her self-portrait drawing. “Vance’s self-portrait is striking because of its bold contrast and variety of texture,” art teacher Courtney Alan said. “It catches your eye immediately as you walk into OSilas Gallery. Vance has incredible mark-making skills. She is able to get very detailed with a few strokes of the pencil. She also renders a wide range of values throughout the piece. You never get stuck in one area of her drawing because she guides your eye around with the play of dark to light." For her drawing, Wood said she chose to represent herself in her bedroom surrounded by a few of her favorite things – her dog, her guitar, and kettle corn.

Meanwhile, Schmuck presented an acrylic painting of several pieces of fruit, and Martin showcased her work related to lionfish by applying similar techniques with different media. She used etching techniques to draw the lionfish on a scratchboard and sgraffito to draw the lionfish on a vase.

OSilas Gallery is on the campus of Concordia College in Bronxville in the Donald A. Krenz Academic Center on the second level of Scheele Memorial Library. StArt 2018 is sponsored by the Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation, which supports organizations that bring enriching arts experiences to youth.

In addition, 11 Bronxville High School students – Mimi Buendia, Claire Kraemer, Maggie Miller, Viena Pentikainen, Sally Reynolds, Lucy Rizzo, Kiki Shinsato, Oskar Thewlis, Martha Thomas, Xavier Zhang, and Zach Zucker – will have their work displayed at the Katonah Museum of Art during the Young Artist Exhibition 2018 from January 21 through February 11. 

Pictured at top (L to R):  Bronxville High School juniors Lilly Martin, Vance Wood, and Viktoria Schmuck.

Photos courtesy The Bronxville School

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