Petra Montana of NHS wins $1,000 art scholarship

Norwalk High School senior Petra Montana was the recipient of a $1,000 art scholarship by the Firelands Area Art League (FAAL) at its recent spring show.She will be attending University of Cincinnati and intends to become an art therapist working in programs which assist people with disabilities and in hospitals. She said she believes this is a way to reach patients on a deep level at a time when they may not be able to speak but can express themselves through art."I'm going into an important occupation," Montana told Gary Kelley, scholarship coordinator.Montana, the daughter of Andy and Joanne, also had artwork selected for the annual Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition. Her acrylic painting, titled "Neo Nineteenth Century," will be on display at the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower, across from the state capitol in Columbus, starting April 22. The exhibition closes May 16.Nearly 40 artists and FAAL members showed off their work at the FAAL show, many of them from as far as North Ridgeville, Amherst, Vermilion and Delaware County. This 2019 show was judged by Karen Shayler, art teacher for more than 30 years at Sandusky St. Mary Central Catholic High School.First- and second-place winners in 12 categories are as follow :• Seascape/Seashore: First place - Chris Pribanic; second place - David Wolff;• Landscape: First place - Wolff; second - Eileen Rockwell;• Still life: First place - Chris Standring; second - Jim Eschels;• Portrait/figure: First place - Kathie Widing; second - Lynda Stoneham;• Animal/wildlife: First place - Mary Waters; second - Gail Hughes;• Abstract/experimental: First place - John Eschels; second - Jim Weit;• Architecture: First place - Gary Kelley; second - Jean Jensen;• Sculpture: First place - James Andrews; second - Diane Reinhart;• Wearable art: First place - JoAnn Lawrence; second - Delores Oleska;• Functional decorative: First and second place - Waters;• Traditional photography: First and second place - Kathy Root;• Enhanced photography: First and second place - Thurston Cosner;• Best of show: Wolff.Other awards received in various categories include some third place and honorable mention as well as the Ruth Monroe Memorial Award for outstanding realistic watercolor, Founder's Award for outstanding wildlife painting, selected by the Hilty family, Mayor's Award, selected by Norwalk Mayor Rob Duncan, and the People's Choice Award.Petra MontanaThree works by Petra Montana, including her winner on the left.Best of Show winner David Wolff.Montana