Lakewood Students Among Area’s Top Artists

Once again, the has produced some of the top artists in Northeast Ohio.

This year, three students were honored with the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing organization’s top award: Gold Key Winner.

The students were named tops in the Cuyahoga County region and their artwork is slated to be judged on the national level next month.

According to a news release from the Lakewood City Schools, one of the Gold Key Winners, Elizabeth Taucher, also was selected as one of only five artists in the region named a American Vision & Voice Nominee for her “best of show” Film and Animation piece, “Sydney the Giraffe."

Each year, nearly 80,000 students in grades 7-12 participate in the Scholastic competition, according to the release.

The work is judged on originality, technical skill and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. 

The best of the best are sent to New York City to be judged with the best in the nation. This year’s regional winners' works are on display at the Art Gallery at the Cleveland Institute of Art located at University Circle until Feb. 4

Gold Key Winners:

Allie Mattis, sophomore, for her mixed media piece entitled, "Turtle."

Bram Myers, senior, for his design piece entitled "Diplomat: October 15 at Bela Dubby."

Elizabeth Taucher, senior, for her Film and Animation entitled, "Sydney the Giraffe."

Honorable Mentions:

Jessica Balmer, , Molly Loder, Nicole Matthews (), Clayton Overcasher, Michael Todaro and Emily Trautmann.