Leader Publications

Niles and Brandywine students will be locked in a friendly battle of the arts this weekend at Fernwood Botanical Gardens and Nature Preserve in Niles.

For the first time ever — according to Niles art teacher Lisetta Zahm — students from the two schools will be entering their artwork into a south county art show juried by teachers and featuring a variety of media.

While judging takes place Friday, the students won’t learn of the winning entrees until Sunday’s reception from 1 to 3 p.m. at Fernwood.

Niles High senior Cassidy Vrhostra entered a painting of a Japanese garden.

“I like the how the nature look turned out — how the trees, flowers and grasses looked with the paint brush blotting I did,” she said.

Elena Gil, a Niles foreign exchange student from Spain, is excited to see how the work of others compares to her work — a painting of a tiger in watercolor.

“I love everything there is to do with culture — the paintings, the sculptures …” she said. “I want to see how people of my own age are creating paintings.”

Judges are Michel Listenberger, Betty Perkins, Martha Branson-Banks and Sue Coultas. First- and second-place awards in four categories are sponsored by Chemical Bank and participation awards made by woodshop students. The event also features handmade programs.

Zahm said the students’ work would remain in the gallery at Fernwood for people to view and purchase from Jan. 14 to Feb. 24.

“It will be a nice event for the kids, something for their portfolio — something to put on their resume,” Zahm said. “Hopefully, we will make it bigger next year and invite more schools. We’ll see how it goes.”