CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice joined West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History Curator Randall Reid-Smith today for a ceremony to announce the winners of this year’s Almost Heaven Governor’s Art Exhibition at the State Capitol Complex in Charleston.
“This program gives our children a chance to express the love they have for West Virginia,” Gov. Justice said. “It excites me beyond belief just to look at all of these great pieces of art. It couldn’t be any better. I’m really, really proud.”
Awards were given out to Best of Show and 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in three categories: elementary school, middle school and high school. Winners received Utrecht Art Supplies gift cards in the amounts of $100, $50 and $25. The prize winners are listed below.
All West Virginia students in grades K-12 were invited to participate in the show. Designed to showcase student creativity and the arts, this year’s exhibition called for one-of-a-kind postcard designs that features a favorite seasonal scene in West Virginia. Selected postcard artwork will be used by the West Virginia Tourism Office to personally invite travelers to Almost Heaven.
A total of 417 pieces were entered into this year’s contest.
Of those entrants, 189 pieces of artwork from 24 schools in 18 counties across the state were chosen to be displayed at the State Capitol. These pieces of art will remain on display until Aug. 8, 2020.
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2020 Almost Heaven Governor’s Art Exhibition winners:
BEST OF SHOW
Aaron Goad – Grade 8, South Charleston Middle School, Kanawha County, Title of entry: The Capitol
Elementary School
1st Place: Lilian Cron – Grade 1, Anna Jarvis Elementary, Taylor County, Title of entry: Autumn in Blackwater Canyon
2nd Place: Carson Johnson – Grade 2, Daniels Elementary, Raleigh County, Title of entry: Fall at the Gorge
3rd Place: Bailey Fernatt – Grade 4, Anna Jarvis Elementary, Taylor County, Title of entry: Cathedral Falls in Summer
Middle School
1st Place: Aaron Goad – Grade 8, South Charleston Middle School, Kanawha County, Title of entry: The Capitol
2nd Place: Maisey Duckworth – Grade 6, Andrew Jackson Middle School, Kanawha County, Title of entry: Blenko on Nana’s Window Seat
3rd Place: Kaelin Morris – Grade 8, Jackson Middle School, Wood County, Title of entry: Scenic West Virginia
High School
1st Place: McKinzie Surface – Grade 10, South Charleston High School, Kanawha County, Title of entry: Almost Heaven
2nd Place: Aillea Elkins – Grade 10, George Washington High School, Kanawha County, Title of entry: Wild and Colorful WV
3rd Place: Molly Simpson – Grade 12, Clay Battelle Middle/High School, Monongalia County, Title of entry: Early Bird Breakfast
