Malvern, PA — Abington Senior High student Jeehae G. Young won Third Place at Imprint 2019, the Wharton Esherick Museum’s 10th annual high school print competition. Jeehae’s print is shown above.
For Wharton Esherick, woodcut printmaking, which involves carving into a wood block to create an image, was a critical artistic medium. Through printmaking, Esherick transitioned from a young painter to an internationally recognized artist and furniture designer. Recognizing the important role printmaking played in his development as an artist, this annual competition encourages new generations of young artists in the powerful medium of relief printmaking.
High School art students from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties submitted 120 pieces this year, from which a jury of Museum staff and professional artists selected 18 finalists and prize winners for the exhibition. First Place this year was “Selma” by Morgan Evans from Springfield Township High School and Second Place went to “Zeeschildpad” by Claire Hartemink from The Hill School. Monetary prizes are awarded to the first, second, and third place winners and their corresponding art departments. The first place school, Springfield Township High School, will also receive a free field trip for the entire art class to visit the Wharton Esherick Museum.
All entries are displayed online on the Wharton Esherick Museum’s Facebook page, where the Museum’s Facebook fans select one last award, Viewer’s Choice. This year’s crowd favorite, “Looking Glass” by Fernanda Arcos-Villareal of Abington Senior High, was also selected by the judges as a finalist.
Awards will be given at the opening reception on Sunday, March 10, celebrating the achievements of all these young and talented artists. The opening on March 10 coincides with the Museum’s Second Sunday event, which offers guests an ‘open house’ tour of the Museum for $12 admission, and does not require the usual advance reservations.
Award Winners:
First Place: “Selma” by Morgan Evans, Springfield Township High School
Second Place: “Zeeschildpad” by Claire Hartemink, The Hill School
Third Place: “Humbled Perspective” by Jeehae G. Young, Abington Senior High School
Honorable Mention: “Untitled” by Ling Zheng, Upper Darby High School
Viewer’s Choice: “Looking Glass” by Fernanda Arcos-Villareal, Abington Senior High
Additional Finalists in the Exhibition:
“Smokin’ Country” by Theresa Oskowiak, Upper Dublin High School
“Giraphalant” by Angelina Tocchet, Upper Dublin High School
“Fire Peak Extravaganza” by Rory Smith, Upper Dublin High School
“Shadows” by Sophia Lieber, Neshaminy High School
“Tyson” by Lidiya Repchuk, Neshaminy High School
“The Lighthouse” by Madison Whartenby, Nazareth Academy High School
“Hole” by Carly Clark, Avon Grove High School
“Catch of the Day” by Elizabeth Hudak, The Hill School
“Interstellar Aeronaut” by Eric Sweeney, Bishop Shanahan High School
“Look Up” by Madolin Mast, Central High School
“Silhouette” by Maxine Gongon, Springfield Township High School
“Buildup” by Olivia Schrecengost, Abington Senior High School
“Looking Glass” by Fernanda Arcos-Villareal, Abington Senior High School
“En la calle de Ponce” by Amber Gibson, Abington Senior High School
Imprint 2019 is on display in the Visitor Center March 2 – May 26 and is free to the public. This does not include admission into the Museum for which advance reservations are required.
About the Wharton Esherick Museum:
The Wharton Esherick Museum, located just outside of Valley Forge Park in Malvern, PA is the handcrafted home and studio of Wharton Esherick (1887-1970), an internationally significant artist and leader of the Studio Furniture Movement. Esherick worked primarily in wood and extended his unique forms to furniture, furnishings, interiors, buildings, and more. His motto, “If it isn’t fun, it isn’t worth doing,” is evident in the joyful expression of his work. A National Historic Landmark for Architecture, his hilltop studio/residence, with more than 300 of his works on exhibition, has been preserved much as it was when the artist lived and worked there.
The Wharton Esherick Museum is experienced through guided tours that must be reserved in advance. The Museum is open for tours Tuesday – Friday (for groups of 5 or more) from 10 am to 4 pm, Saturdays from 10 am – 4 pm and Sundays from 1 pm – 4 pm (no minimum requirement on weekends). Advanced tickets are required, and can be purchased at whartonesherickmuseum.org. For more information call 610-644-5822 or email info@whartonesherickmuseum.org.