Cove teen takes first in art contest

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

Perception Creative Art School held a juried summer art show, Roots and Wings, and a Copperas Cove teen’s entry ended up taking first place in the Drawing and Painting category. 
The entries were made up of 8 x 8 canvases, with entry fees for non-members, and no entry fee for children and guild members. Artwork could extend no more than four inches beyond the 8 x 8 inches.
Criteria for judging included originality, best representation of theme, use of medium, and concept. The entries were judged on Friday prior to the opening reception and art sale on Saturday evening held at the school, located in downtown Lampasas at 415 E. 3rd St. Along with the show and sale, there was a VIP Chuckwagon Dinner prepared by Yumm Again, and live music provided by pianist Juan Munoz. 
Awards were given in two categories, 2D and mixed media, and drawing and painting. Best in category won $50, with runner-up winning $20 in each category. 
Erin Signs, going into her senior year at Copperas Cove High School, said she had taken Art ! and Painting during her freshman and sophomore years. But due to work and other classes, she hadn’t made any art pieces for a while and she missed it, she said. 
“When Mrs. (Linda) Lapierre gave me the opportunity, it sounded like a lot of fun,” Signs said. “I took up bird watching as a hobby a while back so I was happy when I heard “ roots and wings” was the theme. I just went in my backyard and painted the first bird I seen.”
The winners and runners-up, along with those who received an award of honorable mention, didn’t know if they’d won an award until entering the event on Saturday evening. 
“When I got news that I had won first place, I was actually a little shocked,” said Signs, upon discovering she’d won first place. “I never thought other people would like my work that much. It gave me a lot of confidence and I plan on entering more contests now. I’ve won first place in school events but never in a outside of class contest.”
Proceeds from the entry fees and the sale of the art on Saturday went to benefit Perception Creative Arts School, a nonprofit arts center which holds art and guitar lessons for children and adults alike.