Visitors at the Chenango Area Student Art Show opening exhibition in 2022. This year's exhibition is free and open to the public, and will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, March 10 in the Chenango Arts Council's Mariea Brown and Raymond Loft Galleries. The annual show features artwork of Chenango County high school students, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media works. (Submitted photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY — High school students from across Chenango County will be showcasing their artwork this Friday at the Chenango Area Student Art (CASA) Show opening reception, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Chenango Arts Council's Mariea Brown and Raymond Loft Galleries.

The show features drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media works created by Chenango County high school students. The opening reception is free to attend and open to the public, and refreshments will be provided by the Cottage Bakery.

During the reception, the Chenango Arts Council will also be awarding three scholarships to high school students pursuing college degrees in the arts.

"We have the Lucy Funke Scholarship, those are two scholarships for $500 each to a high school senior studying art. Any kind of art; visual art, performance art, music," said Chenango Arts Council Administrative Assistant Mary Beth Miller. "Then there’s the Chenango Music Scholarship, and that is one scholarship for $1,000 that goes to a student who is going to study music."

First, second, and honorable mention awards will also be given out to participating students.

Miller said art teachers in county schools select students, and their specific pieces of art, each year to be showcased at the CASA exhibition, and this year every high school in Chenango County has sent in student work.

"It’s always a very good amount, the gallery is always full. So there’s a handful from every school, so it’s a fair amount," said Miller. "This year I believe every high school has sent submissions, so that's exciting."

In addition to opening night, the CASA exhibition will be available to view in the Mariea Brown and Raymond Loft Galleries until March 31.

Miller encourages area residents to stop by and check out the variety of artwork created right here in Chenango County.

"There’s a variety of art. There's 3D art, photography, drawing. There’s a lot to see, and it's going to be open all month," she said. "Definitely come and check it out."

In addition to the CASA show, the Chenango Arts Council will also be hosting three performances of the Norwich Theater Company's production of "Steel Magnolias," a two-act play about friendship, the bonds between women, and overcoming challenges set in the fictional town of Chinquapin, Louisiana.

Performances will be held on March 24 and 25 at 7 p.m., and at 2 p.m. on March 26, at the Chenango Arts Council's Martin W. Kappel Theater. Tickets are available now by following the link on the Norwich Theater Company, Inc. Facebook page, and are $20 for adults, $10 for children 12 years old and younger, and $15 for Chenango Arts Council members.

Hands-on workshops are also available at the Chenango Arts Council. Coming up on Sunday, March 19 is a needle felting class from 2 to 4 p.m., with a snow date of March 26. Participants will learn to felt their own sleeping bunnies. The workshop is open to adults only, and tickets are $15 for members and $17 for non-members. All supplies, including wool, needles, and tools to form wool, are included.

Paint and sip will return to the Arts Council with a fun twist from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 22. Instead of painting on a traditional canvas, participants will be provided a slate to paint a birch tree scene on. Tickets are $33 for members, $35 for non-members, and all supplies are provided.

From 4 to 6 p.m. on May 6 crafters can join the Chenango Arts Council for a "make your own greeting card" workshop. All supplies will be included, and registration is $16 for members and $17 for non-members.

To register for upcoming Chenango Arts Council workshops, visit ChenangoArts.org.

For more information on the Chenango Arts Council and their upcoming workshops and programs, visit ChenangoArts.org or the Chenango Arts Council Facebook page.