MOORHEAD, Minn. — Pencils, paints, clay, wire, fiber, ink and paper are only a few of the materials local students used to create the works featured in the High School Art Show at Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ this year.

There’s much more on display at the Cyrus M. Running Gallery from Wednesday, Dec. 6 to Tuesday, Jan. 16, including lots of talent, hard work and artistic technique by students from high schools in Moorhead, West Fargo, Cavalier, Pelican Rapids, Hawley, Oak Grove, Ada, and Perham.

“There’s an awful lot of work sitting in that gallery right now,” said Chris Mortenson, associate professor of art and director of the Cyrus M. Running Gallery, on Thursday, Nov. 30, as exhibits were being examined.

Cameron Peterson, exhibition coordinator & facilities manager of in Moorhead, is serving as the show’s juror this year. As such, he will choose which of the dozens of works submitted will become part of the show and which of those to honor with awards. 

Only one will be chosen as Best in Show, with the artist receiving $75 and a guaranteed art scholarship to Concordia. A handful of other works will receive Merit Awards and $25.

Peterson, originally of Langdon, North Dakota, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead, with a concentration in printmaking. He has exhibited work at the Upfront Gallery, , Spirit Room, St. Paul Gallery and Creative Arts Studio. He currently resides in Moorhead.

Mortenson emphasized that students whose work doesn’t make it into the show this year shouldn’t get discouraged, because judges’ opinions can vary significantly based on many factors outside an artist’s control.

A public reception for the show will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, with juror remarks slated for 5:30 p.m.

“Supporting local schools is important. … we value the things they’re making,” Mortenson said.

Arts programs are often first on the chopping block for K-12 schools experiencing financial difficulties, because they can seem unimportant, he said, but student work is important, and learning the arts has occupational value, too.

“There are so many things you can do with a degree in art,” Mortenson said. “Businesses all over are looking for creativity — creative methods and mediums.”

He gave the example of a biology student who developed a portfolio of digital photography and ended up taking pictures of whale flukes that allowed scientists to identify each whale individually. A photography student more interested in criminal justice could go on to become a crime scene photographer.

Art students who go into marketing can use their creativity to think differently, allowing a product to stand out from the crowd, Mortenson added.

The Running Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. It will also be closed during the winter recess, from Dec. 18 to Jan. 11.

For more information, call the art department at 218.299.4623.