The Best in Show winner at the 2023 CASA Show was "Joker," a drawing by Adrianna Palmer of Norwich City School District, instructed by Brenna McCormack. This year's CASA Show opening reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, March 8 in the Chenango Arts Council's Mariea Brown and Raymond Loft Galleries. The exhibit will be on display through April 5. (Photo from the Chenango Arts Council Facebook page)

CHENANGO COUNTY — The Chenango Arts Council will be featuring the artwork of high school students from across Chenango County at the Chenango Area Student Art (CASA) Showcase opening reception this Friday, March 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Mariea Brown and Raymond Loft Galleries.

Admission is free and open to the public, with refreshments provided by The Cottage Bakery and live music performed by Oxford Academy students.

Chenango Arts Council Administrative Assistant Mary Beth Miller said she sends notices to Chenango County high schools to give local students a chance to enter their artwork into the exhibit. The notices also alert high schoolers of the opportunity to win scholarships at the show.

She said the art teachers select which artworks they would like to submit to the show, which creates a wide variety of artistic styles in the mediums of drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media.

"We’re expecting every school district or almost every school district. The response has been excellent, for the artwork and for the Lucy Funke and Chenango Music Scholarships," said Miller.

The Lucy Funke Scholarship provides $500 to two Chenango County seniors who will be going on to study art in college, and the Chenango Music Scholarship awards $1,000 to one local senior who plans to study music in college. Miller said all scholarships will be awarded at the CASA Show opening reception.

Certificates and ribbons will also be awarded in each category for first place, second place, and honorable mention. Miler said a "best in show" will also be chosen, which could be in any category.

The gallery will be available for viewing through April 5, and Miller encourages area residents to check out the work created by young local artists.

"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 the Norwich Theater Company's production of "Clue," and tickets are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit ChenangoArts.org or stop by the Chenango Arts Council.

Those looking for hands-on art activities can sign up for the upcoming four-part ceramics class in April, taught by ceramicist Leah Dobbin.

Participants will learn wheel work, hand molding, glazing, and more every Monday in April from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Chenango Arts Council.

Miller said those interested should sign up soon, as spaces are filling up fast.

"They’re limited just because there’s so much involved in the class, so spaces are filling up now," she said.

To register, visit ChenangoArts.org/workshops.. The workshop series is $65 for members and $75 for non-members, all supplies included.

This workshop was made possible in part by a grant provided by the Roger Follett Foundation.

For more information on the Chenango Arts Council, visit ChenangoArts.org or the Chenango Arts Council Facebook page.