EDENTON — An art show featuring the student artwork from five area counties opened with a reception last Friday night at the Chowan Arts Council Gallery.

Middle school and high school students from Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Gates and Perquimans counties are participate in this first-time, juried show at the gallery.

“There’s going to be very good student participation, and we’re very pleased about that,” said Murielle Harmon.

Harmon added that students participating in the show would find a wider audience to appreciate their work by exhibiting at the gallery. But that won’t be the only benefit, she said.

“These students will have the opportunity to have their work hang in a professional gallery alongside adult artists,” Harmon said. “We’re glad to provide that to them.”

Gallery assistant Mary Altman who coordinated the project said she began contacting art teachers at area schools in the fall. She said that she had been heartened by the response.

“They (art teachers) were very excited and happy that we wanted to include their schools,” Altman said.

Mara Swindell, who teaches art at Chowan Middle School, said the exhibit would provide a rare opportunity for her students to hear comments from the public about their work.

“Students at the middle school level are typically so protective of their work because they are afraid of what others will think or say,” Swindell said. “This is a great opportunity to empower students in realizing how special their work is.”

Five students from each of the participating schools have their work featured in the exhibit, Altman said. All types of media, including photography, are included in the show, she said. During the reception students receiving first, second and third place honors — as well as honorable mentions — were recognized by Harmon.

The student who created the winning first place entry received $100, the second place winner, $50. Third place will receive $25.

The prizes are being made possible through a donation from the William and Marcel Miller Foundation.

High school winners were: First place, Jillian Nelson, John A. Holmes High School, Edenton; second place, Ambriel Bunn, John A. Holmes High School, Edenton; third place, Kelsey Hamby, Camden High School; honorable mention, Johnathan Harrell, Bertie High School.

Middle school winners were: Jacob Overcash, Perquimans Middle School; second, Graham Tunney, Chowan Middle School, Tyner; Jasmine Brown, Perquimans Middle School; honorable mention, Austin Twine, Perquimans Middle School.

First place winners in both categories received $100; second place, $50; and third place, $25. Prizes were made possible through a donation from the William and Marcel Miller Foundation.