Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve in Niles is hosting the annual art show for students from Niles High School, Brandywine High School, and Ring Lardner Middle School. The show opened Sunday with an artist reception in Fernwood’s Clark Gallery.

First- and second-place awards, sponsored by Chemical Bank, were presented to students in four categories: pencil, pastels, paint and mixed media.

In the pencil category, first place went to Jessica Burnworth, senior, Brandywine, for “Serj,” and Ciara Markin, junior, Brandywine, placed second for “See No Evil, Speak No Evil” in pastels. Mackenzie Shelton, senior, Brandywine, placed first for “Moops,” and Jessica Tejeda, senior, Niles, placed second for “Double Vision.”

In the paint category, Elena Gilmarin, foreign exchange student from Toledo, Spain, sophomore, Niles, placed first for “Wildlife,” and Caitlin Cummins, senior, Brandywine, took second place for “Bobby D.”

In the mixed media category, Heaven Dietz, senior, Brandywine, placed first for “Seven,” and Michael Shelton, senior, Brandywine, placed second for “Mr. Freeman.”

Show judges were Coley Pesce from Chemical Bank, Michel Listenberger, Martha Branson-Banks, and Sue Coultas. Art teachers at the three schools are Lisetta Zahm, Niles; Rory McLaughlin, Brandywine; and Christine Folck, Ring Lardner.

Commemorative participation plaques were presented to each artist. The plaques were produced by the Niles High School fabrication department’s wood shop, in conjunction with the art department, and depict an artist’s palette on a free-form base engraved with “Fernwood 2013.”

Invitations were done by Niles High School in Rachel Girvin’s graphic design class as a special assignment.

The show may be viewed in Fernwood’s Gallery through Feb. 24.