Oak Park student's photo earns top award at art guild's show

HONORS- Maria McGinley, an Oak Park High School senior, is congratulated for her winning photograph which earned Best in Show out of 132 entries in the Westlake Village Art Guild's High School Senior Art Show. From left, Bob Engel, president of the Westlake Village Art Guild; Patti Pawloski, Oak Park High School teacher; McGinley; and Anna Lovejoy, Oak Park art teacher. Oak Park High School senior Maria McGinley, 18, won the top honor at last month's annual Westlake Village Art Guild's High School Senior Art Show.

Her entry, "Autumn's Child," a closeup photograph of her 10year-old brother Timmy with his face partially obscured by leaves, was chosen as Best in Show out of 132 entries in all categories.

Awards were presented in categories of mixed media, oil, sculpture, watercolor, pastel/pencil and graphics, and photography.

The winners received their awards and cash prizes at an April 19 ceremony and reception at Thousand Oaks Community Gallery in Newbury Park. McGinley won $150, and the firstplace winners in each category received $100.

"Autumn's Child" "Shock was definitely my initial reaction to winning," McGinley said. "It never occurred to me that I would even have a chance at winning . . . so it was a surprising moment."

McGinley credited teachers Anna Lovejoy and Patti Pawloski with encouraging her to enter the contest.

"Participating in a show like this really is a chance for the students to show the community how creative and talented they are," said Lovejoy, who teaches art. "We are so, so proud of our students and our arts department at OPHS."

The nonprofit Westlake Village Art Guild, in existence for about four decades, sponsors a number of activities and shows for area artists, including the student show.

The number of entries in this year's student show was significantly greater than in previous years, said guild president Bob Engel. The increase in entries in photography this year was possibly attributable to digital technology, he added.

The guild's student show provides entrants a gallery-type experience, the opportunity to show their work and attend an art reception, Engel said.

"The level of talent is just amazing. We were all saying, 'Are these really high school seniors?' Other artists don't have a chance," he said.

Other participating high schools included La Reina, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Oaks Christian and Agoura. Each student could submit up to three pieces of work. First, second, third and honorable mention awards were presented to 22 students.

Memorial awards were also presented to six students.

Firstplace winners by category were Janelle Ricci, oil and acrylic, and Rudy Diaz, sculpture, both from Thousand Oaks High; and Oaks Christian's Courtney Lewis, watercolor; Kayla Woo, graphics; Megan Linnea Forgie, photography; and Alexander Silva, mixed media.

Others honored included Newbury Park's Laura Nagy, Natasha Johannes, Loni Hands, Dana Berlin and Melissa Abel; Austin PetersenHays, Katharine Fernandez, Ryan Yablow, Ryan Feldman, Adam Southard and Nicole Ellsworth of Oak Park; Ashley Yenche and Carolyn Moskowitz of Agoura; Morgan Temansen and James Craig Schawk of Oaks Christian; and Kelsea Richmond, Thousand Oaks