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Kim Johnson reporting Artists and art patrons gathered at Cottonwood High School Monday night for the second annual "Souper Art Night."
While the patrons dined on soup, the artists showed off their talents in a live competition.
They began with blank canvases at 4:00 this afternoon. For the next three and half hours, judges and curious onlookers got to watch what unfolded at the hands of these talented teens.
Joel Child/ Cyprus High School: "I think it's fun because you get to show off what you've learned."
Al Rounds, one of the competition judges, says having to perform under less than ideal circumstances is good for these budding artists.
Al Rounds/ Judge: "They're nervous. The lighting is not good. They have to do it in three hours, and they have to cancel all that out and draw from inside themselves. That is so healthy."
Healthy, but stressful.
Mike Klekas/ Cottonwood High School: "I've never done this before with so many people watching, and it is pretty nervewracking."
Robin Smith/ Taylorsville High School: "It's a lot of stress. I've been so worried about it for this whole two weeks. But it's really fun."
Alicia Klein/ Taylorsville High School: "They're sitting there watching you paint and you're just like, 'Oh, I'm so nervous.' But it's really fun to see what they think about your art."
There are five students from each of the ten public high schools in the Granite School District. Their teachers chose them to compete. Some of them are already Sterling Scholars in art.
And some of them will be awarded art scholarships through the Granite Education Foundation. The organization's director says Souper Art night, which raises funds for those scholarships, is here to stay.
Scott Whipple/ Granite Education Foundation: "It's a chance for the kids to see each other and compare art. But it's also a chance for the community to see the kids. It just elevates and lifts them."
And gives them an all too rare, but deserving share of the spotlight.
Bethany Pinnock took first place in the drawing competition. Spencer Kraven took first in painting. And, Benjamin Stoddard ... won first, in the sculpture division.
