Henrico County Public School Art students received a total of 148 awards in the recent Scholastics Art competition.

The Gold Key award, which is the highest recognition, was given to 59 works created by students in Henrico. The Gold Key winners’ artwork has been sent for national adjudication. National awardees and teachers will be celebrated at regional ceremonies, public events and the National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

“Art students work extremely hard over years to develop and build skills to create works of art that have personal meaning and bring value to our lives. In this process they become creative and critical thinkers with the ability to communicate their ideas visually, verbally and in writing,” said Mike Gettings, the HCPS Art Specialist. “Their art, the show, and the awards offer tangible proof of the transformative nature of the visual arts on the creator, viewer and environment.”

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) sponsors this regional competition and will host the Scholastic Exhibition Feb. 18 to March 18.