Fishers Arts Council (FAC) has announced the winners of the 14th annual FAC Senior Showcase sponsored by STAR Bank. Senior Showcase is an annual exhibit where seniors of both city high schools, Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern, exhibit their artwork and compete for 18 scholarship awards totaling over $3,300.
The awards were presented Friday evening, April 14 at FAC’s Hub Gallery at the Hamilton County Community Foundation during the Second Friday reception. Fishers Arts and Culture Commission Chair Kathryn Haigh and STAR Bank Private Banking Manager John Lee presented the awards. Ms. Catherine Snider also presented a special award, “Best Art Reflecting Poetry or the Written Word,” in memory of her daughter Jordan D. Snider.
Award-winning students from both Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern high schools were joined by Awards Judge Kathryn Haigh, STAR Bank’s John Lee, Jordon D. Snider Award Steward Catherine Snider, FAC Executive Director Les Reinhardt, and Propeller Marketing’s Jocelyn Vare. (Photo provided)
The top award for Best in Show went to Alex McKee (Fishers High School) for her artwork titled, “On Pointe.” The evening’s other big winner was Annie Bonnett, (Hamilton Southeastern) for her poem titled, “Grave Robbing Memory Lane.” She won the Jordan D. Snider award for Best Art Reflecting Poetry or the Written Word. Bonnett gave a reading of her poem during the ceremony. A total of sixty-six students participated in the exhibit offering 110 pieces or collections of art.
The artwork will remain on exhibit through April 28 at the Hub Gallery at the Hamilton County Community Foundation, 11810 Technology Drive, Fishers, and can be seen from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday. The gallery can be viewed on Fridays by making an appointment with FAC.
Haigh also served as the judge for the exhibit.
“I was incredibly impressed by the overall quality of the work and the range of media represented,” Haigh said. “It was very hard to choose the winners. One of the most intriguing aspects of the show was the number of digital works and the quality of them.”
STAR Bank has been the title sponsor of the Senior Showcase since 2021.
“STAR Bank is heavily involved in the communities we serve, and it’s important to take care of the next generation and support them in their positive activities,” Lee said. “Attending this event is fun because the music, the smiles on the faces of the students and their families is an enjoyable experience.”
FAC benefits greatly from its partners in the Hamilton Southeastern school system.
“Visual Art Department chairs Angela Fritz of HSE and Jasmine Osborne of FHS are amazing partners to have – this show would not be possible without them and their dedicated fellow visual arts teachers at both high schools,” FAC Executive Director Les Reinhardt said. “We are incredibly lucky to have these individuals educating and supporting our students and guiding the next generation of creatives in our community.”