Pequot Lakes, Pine River-Backus student artists win awards at Minnesota State Fair

STAPLES — The artworks of 10 local students were recognized and honored at the Minnesota State Fair.

Each piece was created by area students who had originally entered their works in Sourcewell’s Regional Art Show in May. Sourcewell Student Academics Coordinator Phillip Olsen said in a news release that he was so impressed with the submissions, he wanted to forward them for consideration at the State Fair level.

"This is the first year Sourcewell has forwarded on award recipients from the regional level for consideration at the Minnesota State Fair," Olsen said. "We felt the quality of art this year was extraordinary and deserved to be seen and recognized beyond our area."

Olsen said he received word that several pieces had received first- and second-place honors, as well as two honorable mentions.

"We are so proud that so many of these student artists received awards at the state level and we congratulate each of them for their work," Olsen said. "This is a pretty impressive recognition, and we hope they, too, are proud of their accomplishments."

Minnesota State Fair award recipients from the Pequot Lakes and Pine River-Backus school districts include:

• First place, eighth grade printmaking: Callie Norman, Pine River-Backus.
  

  

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• First place, 11th grade painting (acrylic, oil): Joselyn Rinio, Pequot Lakes.
  

  

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• First place, 11th grade relief art (embossed metal, wood carving): Maria Bance, Pequot Lakes.
  

  

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• First place, 12th grade computer graphics (original art/illustrated design): Ava Palmer, Pequot Lakes.
  

  

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