Once again, the Hughston Foundation collaborated with Harris County High School Work Based Learning Program to offer the Sixth 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, or mixed media categories to the competition. The gala was held November 9, at 7:00 pm at the Hughston Foundation.
This year, administration, teachers, students, and parents attended the exhibition of 173 entries both in-person and online. The furthest submission came from Effingham College and Career Academy in Rincon, GA, and overall 27 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 $5,500 in scholarship prizes. Additionally, the Georgia Healthcare Science Technology Education Foundation sponsored two $250 awards for third place winners. Also presented were two Dr. Champ Baker, Jr., Best Anatomical Awards for $500 each, one for a middle and high student. David C. Rehak, MD, presented two Best-Hand Picked Awards for $250 for both high school and middle school entries. Additionally, a $500 Columbus State University (CSU) scholarship was awarded to the top junior or senior winner. Kurt Jacobson, MD, and David Rehak, MD, along with renowned artist Bo Bartlett helped present the awards.
Congratulations to our 2023 winners:
STEAM Awards
The 6 STEAM Awards were presented (First Place = $1,500, Second Place = $750, Third Place = $500) based on the top 3 scores for Middle School aged student, 6th – 8th grades, and the top 3 highest scores for High School aged student, 9th – 12th grades.
The Middle School STEAM Award winners:
1st – Reese Stephan – “An Anatomical Heart”
2nd – Brynlee Myers – “Myelomeningocele Spina Bifida”
3rd – Fabian Weidler – “The illustrator”
The High School STEAM Award Winners:
1st – Jayla Pollard – “Am I Real?”
2nd – Jayden Williams – “Shades of Sickness”
3rd – Aleksander Mitchell – “Merciful Recovery”
Champ Baker Anatomical Awards
Anatomical Middle School Award – Reese Stephan – “An Anatomical Heart”
Anatomical High School Award – Makenzie Grizzle – “Death of Viscerocranium”
David C. Rehak, MD, Hand-Picked Award
Middle School Award – Jacqueline Warner – “life & death”
High School Award – Cambrie Winkles – “A First Broken Bone”
The Gayle Woessner Sports Medicine Award
Aleksander Mitchell – “Merciful Recovery”
Hughston Mental Awareness Award
1st – Railey Spurlock – “Exposed”
2nd – Mia Leone – “Picking Your Brain”
CSU Scholarship
The Columbus State University, Department of Art offered a $500 scholarship. The student must enroll at CSU with a major or minor in Art. 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.
2023 CSU Scholarship
Jayden Williams – “Shades of Sickness”
Honorary Media Awards
Drawing
Middle School – Allison Meredith – “Half and Half”
High School – Audrey Hoefer – “Heart in Hand”
Painting
Middle School – Angie Urdapilleta – “El craneo”
High School – Kenya Perez – “Protector of Hearts”
Mixed Media
Middle School – Layla Davenport – “Exotropia”
High School – Mikayla Shoemaker – “The Trapped Life”
3D
Middle School – Eeshal Gupta – “What Lies Within”
High School – Lyss Ramirez – “Polycephalic Calf”
Digital
Middle School – Ari Dixon – “Piece of my brain”
High School – Harmony Culver – “Operating of peace”
Photography
Middle School – Miles Gumbs – “Contemplation”
High School – (no submission)
Best of Show: Sponsored by the Bo Bartlett Center
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 Wednesday, December 8, at 6:00 pm to recognize these students.
Best in Show Winners:
Middle School – Miles Gumbs – “Contemplation”
High School – Leah Cook – “Graphite Skull”
The Hughston Foundation would like to thank the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA), a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, for a grant to cover expenses for some of the artwork displays. We would also like to thank the Hughston Clinic and its physicians, Bo Bartlett 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 January 17, 2024