Once again, the Hughston Foundation collaborated with Harris County High School Work Based Learning Program to offer the Seventh Annual Art Gala Competition and Exhibition. High school and middle school students (5th – 12th grades) throughout Georgia were invited to submit biologically or medically inspired entries under drawing, painting, photography, 3D, mixed media or multidisciplinary categories to the competition. The gala was held November 7, at 7:00 pm at the Hughston Foundation and the exhibit will remain on display until Friday, November 22.
This year, administration, teachers, students, and parents attended the exhibition of 166 entries both in-person and online. The furthest submission came from Calhoun County High School in Calhoun, GA, and overall 32 schools and organizations were represented. For this competition, the Hughston Clinic proudly supported the top 6 STEAM awards presented to the first through third middle school and high school entries for a total of $5,000 in scholarship prizes. Additionally, the Georgia Healthcare Science Technology Education Foundation sponsored two $250 awards for Careers in Medicine winners. Also presented were two Dr. Champ Baker, Jr., Best Anatomical Awards for $500 each, one for a drawing and the other for mixed media. David Rehak, MD, presented two Best-Hand Picked Awards for $250 for both high school and middle school entries. Derek Woessner, MD sponsored two awards, The Gayle Woessner Sports Medicine Award and The Hughston Mental Awareness Award both for $250. Additionally, a $1,000 Columbus State University (CSU) scholarship was awarded to the top junior or senior winner. John Turba, MD., again sponsored the Honorary Media Awards. Kurt Jacobson, MD, David Rehak, MD, Dr. Champ Baker III, Dr. Nick Norwood and Patty Cole helped present the awards.
Congratulations to our 2024 winners:
STEAM Awards
The 6 STEAM Awards were presented (First Place = $1,250, Second Place = $750, Third Place = $500) based on the top 3 scores for Middle School aged student, 5th – 8th grades, and the top 3 highest scores for High School aged student, 9th – 12th grades.
The Middle School STEAM Award winners:
1st – Riya Nambiar – “The Synaptic Symphony”
2nd – Natasha Alba – “What Cardiovascular Disease Does To The Human Heart”
3rd – Chloe Meisch – “Conjunctivitis”
The High School STEAM Award Winners:
1st – Leah Dixon – “Gaze of the Healer”
2nd – Rae Scott – “Untitled”
3rd – Mandy Ferrin – “Held in the light”
Careers in Medicine Awards
Middle School Award – Ava Valdes – “Healing Touch”
High School Award – Nina Sapp – “First Responder”
Champ Baker Anatomical Awards
Anatomical Drawing Award – Rae Scott – “Untitled”
Anatomical Mixed Media Award – Lyss Ramirez – “The Bronchial Trees”
David C. Rehak, MD, Hand-Picked Award
Middle School Award – Layla Greene – “Reaching for Help”
High School Award – Abigail Garcia – “Reach”
The Gayle Woessner Sports Medicine Award
Reilly Lopez – “Spike”
Hughston Mental Awareness Award
Jayla Pollard – “Rumination”
CSU Scholarship
The Department of Art offers a $1,000 scholarship. The student must qualify for admission to CSU and must enroll at CSU with a major or minor degree. The student must remain in good academic standing for the duration of the award period. CSU credits the award to the student’s CSU account and divides it over the first semester of full-time enrollment.
Columbus State University’s Department of Art $1,000 scholarship
Leah Dixon – “Gaze of the Healer”
Honorary Media Awards
Drawing
Middle School – Noah Paramore – “Hearts Failure”
High School – Adriana Bannister – “Skeletal and Muscular System”
Painting
Middle School – Kamalini Panchangam – “Loss of Connection”
High School – Mary Ann Kim – “Tea Time”
Mixed Media
Middle School – Chaewon Ryu – “Save a Life”
High School – Jayden Williams – “Open Heart”
3D
Middle School – Julia Ignat – “Human Heart”
High School – Kali Redding – “My love”
Digital
Middle School – none
High School – Kamore’ Walker – “Body Systems”
Photography
Middle School – Chase Brogdon – “How You Derin?”
High School – Jayla Williams – “Eye of the Petals”
Multidisciplinary – an illustration and 3D pieces *New Category*
Middle School – Brynlee Myers – “Bone Marrow Biopsy”
High School – Jade Comer – “Giver of Life”
Best of Show: Sponsored by the Bo Bartlett Center and Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital
The top middle and high school students who win the online popular vote will have their artwork displayed at the Bo Bartlett Center (921 Front Avenue, Columbus, GA 31901) for approximately a month. An opening will be held at the Bo Bartlett Center on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 6:00 pm to recognize these students. Each Best of Show winners were also presented with $500 from Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital who sponsored the awards.
Best in Show Winners:
Middle School – Julia Ignat – “Human Heart”
High School – Leah Dixon – “Gaze of the Healer”
The Hughston Foundation would like to thank Gary Johannes, the Harris County High School Work Based Learning Program Director, and the many school administrators for their support. We would also like to thank the Hughston Clinic, Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital, Hughston physicians, and the Bo Bartlett Center, as well as the teachers throughout the state of Georgia who support their students during this competition.
The Hughston Foundation Art Gala for the Biologically Inclined is perfect for students who would like to unmask the exciting world of art and science. This biological and medically inspired art contest encourages students to create artwork while integrating the principle areas of the national STEAM initiative (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics). For more information about the Art Gala, go to hughston.com or contact Belinda Klein at bklein@hughton.com.
Last edited on November 12, 2024