
DATE: Thursday, March 13, 1997              TAG: 9703120116

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 09   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: COURTLAND                         LENGTH:   67 lines

TEEN'S PORTRAIT OF GRANDMOTHER WINS STUDENT ART COMPETITION

Most children have fond memories of their grandparents; Conteshia Taylor's remembrances netted her a first prize.

The 16-year-old Sussex Central High School junior's painting of her grandmother is full of color.

``She died three months ago. We were very close,'' said Conteshia, who entered the picture in the Rawls Museum Arts 1997 High School Student Art Exhibition.

``It was the first time I entered,'' she said, adding with a laugh, ``it was my first win.''

The prize money - $50 - was well spent.

``I bought some art supplies,'' said Conteshia, who did not begin painting until two years ago.

Her award winning painting is a mixed media piece, ``Aging in Time.''

Next to her grandmother's portrait is a star and the sun.

Symbolism?

``No,'' said Conteshia, who lives in Stony Creek with her mother, Rosa May Taylor, ``it's just something I wanted to throw up there.''

Other recent paintings feature members of the school's football team, and the artist's standard - flowers.

Trees, birds, anything connected with nature are often seen through the eyes of her camera.

``I've been taking pictures for a long time,'' Conteshia said. ``It's fascinating. I'd like to be a newspaper photographer. I'd like to take action pictures.''

She is an action person. She's a member of the school's basketball team and is into track and field, specifically the shot put and discus throw.

The Rawls competition involved students from Franklin and Windsor, and the counties of Southampton, Surry and Sussex.

Fifty-one students entered 62 pieces of art, ``a substantial increase from last year,'' said Wanda A. Marks, administrator of Rawls Museum Arts.

``I was impressed by the strength of composition of the entries,'' said Kitty Nettles, a former art instructor who acted as judge. ``Technical proficiency at the high school level is not as important, to me, as demonstrable knowledge of composition.

``There were a number of good works,'' she said. ``Unfortunately, only a few could get awards.''

They are, in addition to Conteshia, Alix Hadley, Franklin High School, second place; Becky Parrish, Southampton High, third place.

The Blackwater Artists League Merit Award was given to Sarah Dewitt of Southampton High School.

Honorable mention went to Megan Parker and David Griffith, both from Franklin High; Renita Bailey, Surry High; George Wrenn, Southampton and Michelle Rollings, Surry. ILLUSTRATION: Photo courtesy of Rawls Museum Arts

Conteshia Taylor won first place in the Rawls Museum Arts 1997 High

School Student Art Exhibition for a painting of her grandmother.

Graphic

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

WHAT: Rawls Museum Arts 1997 High School Student Art Exhibition.

WHEN: Through Wednesday. 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m Monday, Wednesday,

Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday.

WHERE: Rawls Museum Arts, 22376 Linden St., Courtland.

COST: The exhibit is free.

FOR INFORMATION: Call 653-0754.