Students show off talent

The Reyes Adobe Days Art Gallery grew by leaps and bounds this year with a slew of works on display including paintings, jewelry, pottery and photographs.

Student artists were exhibited for the first time and made a favorable impression on the guests, said Randee Paller, a member of the Art Gallery committee.

Photographer and didgeridoo player William Thoren, 20, performed on instruments that he carved himself. A didgeridoo is an aboriginal wind instrument carved from natural wood in a cylindrical or conical shape and can measure from 3 feet to more than 9 feet long.

"I taught myself how to make them out of PVC and bamboo in the beginning," Thoren said. "I learned more in-depth (techniques) when I spent time with the Glapu clan, an aboriginal tribe in Australia."

Daniel Gootnick, 17, a senior at Agoura High School, produced a documentary on artist Sheldon Borenstein, owner of Sheldon's Art Academy in Oak Park. The documentary aired throughout the weekend in the Art Gallery at the historic Reyes Adobe barn. At the festival, Gootnick was working on a new documentary, interviewing seasoned artists, guests and organizers.

Gootnick won the festival's cinematography award. He also won best screenplay for his short drama "Go-to Kid" at the 2007 Conejo Valley Teen Festival.

Gootnick, who has taken four years of photography in high school and displayed his portfolio at the Art Gallery, plans to major in cinematography in college.

Special Olympics athlete Russel Santop, 45, was invited to participate in the Art Gallery as a guest artist. Santop discovered a love of art six years ago and showcased several of his impressionistic paintings at the gallery. Each year, Santop also creates images for holiday cards. He participated in the Special Olympics in 1992.