Teens win for murals

Two students from Wando High School showcased their artwork at a presentation June 1 in the Charleston International Airport Terminal Building, where it will be displayed for a year.

Annamarie Byers and Ivan Gomez were winners of the 2009 School Mural Contest, sponsored by the airport. Each winner received a $200 check for their talent.

Both students had help painting their murals.

Students Elizabeth Blanton and Rhian Wallace assisted Byers, and students Will Botts and Nikki Jantzi aided Gomez.

Every year, throughout Charleston County, students from public high schools enter the contest for a chance to have their artwork displayed in the airport.

"It was a wonderful experience," Byers said, "and I can't wait to see what people say about my art."

"I've liked art since I was a kid and it's definitely something I want to major in," Gomez said.

The works will hang in the terminal's atrium until the winners of next year's contest replace them.

The 8-by-12-foot murals, each split into three sections, took the students several days to complete, according to the families of the artists and their art teacher, Sheryl Clair.

This is the third or fourth time Wando has won both awards, Clair said.

"How can I not be proud of these students," she said.

Jim Braunreuther, fine arts coordinator for the Charleston County School District and one of the judges for the competition, said the skills these artists possess are vitally important to the community.

"Opportunities like this paint a vision for kids that they can have a career in the arts," said Braunreuther.

Other judges for the contest came from the Gibbes Museum and local art galleries.

Reach Jake Blocker at 937-5922 or jblocker@postandcourier.com.