By Brie Coder When strolling through the first of two exhibitions showcasing the young minds of McDonough County, the old adage “out of the mouths of babes” takes on a new, visual meaning. While the exhibition, “Young Artists I: Middle, Jr. High and High School,” focuses on young adults rather than their elementary counterparts, the craftsmanship on display reinforces a powerful truth: wisdom and perspective do not wait for adulthood.
The latest exhibition at the Macomb Arts Center (MAC) recently presented awards to students who articulated complex ideas through ceramics, paintings and drawings with maturity. These students are not merely “dabbling” in art; they are mastering difficult techniques and using them to document their unique experiences in a rapidly changing world.
Among the top honorees were Angie Cotton (8th grade, Ingersoll Middle School), who took first place in ceramics, and Caroline Spangler (12th grade, BPCHS), who earned first place in oil paint. Other first-place winners included Eliana Rodeffer (11th grade, BPCHS) for ceramics and Kennedy Bowers (7th grade, Ingersoil Middle School) for oil pastel and acrylics.
Second-place honors were awarded to Abigail Weston (8th grade, Macomb Middle School); Aimee Howerter (12th grade, Trinity Academy) for oil on canvas; Jay Puoplo (12th grade, BPCHS) for a unique crayon-on-wooden-panel piece; and Wyatt Gasparovich (8th grade, Ingersoll Middle School) for acrylic paint and marker. Third-place awards went to Mirrah Cardona (7th grade, Abingdon-Avon) for charcoal, Parker Ingledue (7th grade, Macomb Middle School) for ceramics - plates and Ryan Shields (12th grade, West Prairie Jr. & Sr. High School) for a mixed-media sculpture.
Every featured piece deserves recognition, as they collectively prove that imagination and critical thinking still flourish even in a technologically saturated world. These students devoted time, energy and raw emotion into creations that do more than decorate a room—they generate a visual diary, where a private entry is made public for us to dialogue about. By stepping into the MAC, visitors aren't just looking at student work; they are witnessing the first movements of the future art world.
“Young Artists I” will remain on display through Saturday, March 7. The Macomb Arts Center, located at 25 East Side Square, is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is free.
First Place: Eliana Rodeffer (11th grade, BPCHS)
Second Place: Aimee Howerter (12th grade. Trinity Academy)
Second Place: Abigail Weston (8th grade, Macomb Middle School)
