Norcross Gallery & Studios opened the third annual Reflections at the Rectory exhibition on May 10 with a reception and awards presentation showcasing the local artists. The complete exhibit will continue to run at the Rectory and the Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center through Friday, May 16.
This year’s exhibition features artworks by 34 students from Norcross and Paul Duke STEM high schools. Every artist received a framed certificate recognizing that they met professional requirements for exhibiting their art.
In addition, nationally renowned artist Larry Smith selected 14 pieces for ribbons and awards, provided by Norcross Gallery & Studios, community organizations and friends of the gallery, based on their artistic merits.
Larry Smith, artist
Smith shared that he had remained lifelong friends with his high school art teacher, Mrs. Painter, who told him how proud she was that “he had made it.” During his 30-year career in advertising, as a creative director and agency owner, he was “preparing himself for his first true love, oil painting.”
Today Smith paints with oils both in the studio and plein air, and his work has appeared in museums, art galleries and private collections. Smith and his wife Pam, an accomplished portrait artist, owned and operated 2 Smith Art Gallery in Duluth for nine years until they closed the business in 2022, though they continue to offer art classes in their home.
The “Imagine” award
During the exhibit reception, Norcross Public Arts Commission board member Robert Forro presented the new “Imagine” award created by NPAC to underscore the slogan of the city of Norcross, “A Place to Imagine.” Forro congratulated the award recipient, Gherald Ramirez, and all of the student artists for their auspicious beginnings, and related that he had taken his love of art into his profession of architecture.
Forro further congratulated Ramirez on the sale of his winning piece. His was one of three artworks by students sold on the first day of the exhibition, which could be considered career launches.
Full list of winners
- First Place — Minh Lam, Paul Duke “The Working Man’s Dream”
- Second Place — Catherine Denham, NHS “Cover”
- Third Place — Shaila Rivera-Ruiz, NHS “Crimson Kisses”
- Hon. Mention — Mabyn McCord, Paul Duke “Afghani Beauty”
- Hon. Mention — Dominic Ciccarone, NHS “Tufted”
- Hon. Mention — Elizabeth West, NHS “Distorted Reflection”
- Hon. Mention — Zuri Rivas, NHS “Sigh”
- Hon. Mention — Mariana Pacheco-Ayala, NHS “Rearranging”
- Hon. Mention — Allison West, NHS “Trees in Maryland & Savannah”
- SWGC — Minh Lam, Paul Duke “Girl in Ao Dai”
- Historic Norcross Business Assoc. — Elon Turner, Paul Duke “My Second Chance”
- Norcross Public Arts Commission — Gherald Martinez-Ramirez, Paul Duke “P.A.”
- RBS 1 — Minh Lam, Paul Duke “The Working Man’s Dream”
- RBS 2 — Claire Ott, NHS “Brother”
- Jim Collins Memorial — Mona Morris, NHS “Moonlit Stadium”
- Norcross Gallery & Studios Director’s Award — Joy Osohua, Paul Duke “Soul Cool”
- Terri Enfield Memorial — Eva Rios, NHS “desperation to soothe the hunger”
High school art programs
Norcross High School offers classes in International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement art — both 3D (or sculpture) and 2D, which includes drawing, painting and photography.
Their dedicated teachers are Courtney Escorza, Laura Hwang, Jennifer Jackson and Colleen Nikoupour. Principal Will Bishop puts a high value on the arts and makes sure there are enough teachers so that every student interested in art can take those classes.
Paul Duke STEM High School has the highest percentage of students enrolled in fine arts classes in Gwinnett County, which makes sense given the critical importance of visualization to the fields of technology, science, engineering and mathematics.
The school offers two Advanced Placement art courses — 3D art taught by Laura Elizabeth Martin and 2D art taught by Payton Hirschmann — as well as an art club and an art honor society.
Organizing the exhibit
“I am so proud that we have been able to highlight and showcase the great work by local art students and the dedication of their teachers each of the last three years,” said Anne Hall of Norcross Gallery & Studios. “We have a great team … pull together this exhibition, reception and awards ceremony on a very tight timeline, including Traci Kruger, Melanie Sheldon, Gail Lenahan and Ashley Lynch.”
“Stephanie Newton and Cameron McDonald helped us greatly with the logistics of setting up in two city properties, and Cameron also produces the digital display of all the artworks on the large screens in both locations,” Hall continued. “And last but not least, we are grateful to the community organizations and community members for their generous financial support.”
The Reflections exhibition is on view until Friday, May 16, after which the award-winning artworks will be shown at the Norcross branch of the Gwinnett Public Library through August 19.
Photos courtesy of Norcross Gallery & Studios; photographer: Ashley Lynch
