Student artwork displayed at Valley High School

Kimberly Osheskie doesn’t want a pandemic to stop the New Kensington-Arnold community from seeing the artistic talents of students at Valley High School.

“With covid, the art show is not able to be displayed at the art gallery at Penn State New Kensington like in a typical year. And people can’t view it in person due to covid restrictions,” said Osheskie, a visual arts teacher at the high school.

So instead, the students’ work this school year is displayed in the high school’s hallways. More than 60 artworks in a variety of different media — paintings, drawings, digital media, collages and three-dimensional pieces — represent what students have created in-person and at home.

A feature added this year is “Teachers UN-Masked,” in which students were given the opportunity to draw a faculty member without a face mask using yearbook photos.

“I must say how incredibly proud and impressed I am with my students this year,” Osheskie said. “They have encountered many obstacles but were still able to move forward and produce exceptional artwork during this unique and difficult year.

“Many of them used their art to overcome some of the personal challenges they faced during the covid pandemic.”

Seniors Bethany Tomes and Alyssa Dameron were highlighted as standout artists; they have several pieces exhibited.

“I am genuinely delighted to see the collection of artwork cultivated from our program during this school year,” visual arts teacher Ray Sharkins said. “We were doubtful of the quality of student output heading in to this year but were pleasantly surprised by what we were seeing heading into spring.

“The Valley High School art department is glad to be able to hold up our tradition of an annual show for our students and are thankful for the support and positive reactions from our staff and online community.”

The art show can be seen on the district’s Facebook page and on YouTube.