Eighty-three budding young artists were recognized Saturday as winners in the 2012 TroyFest Student Art Competition. Certificates were presented to the winners as part of TroyFest activities at noon at the Gazebo on the square.

“Pam Smith, coordinator of the annual student art competition, said more than 150 students in kindergarten through 12th grades participated. Their artwork was on display at the Johnson Center for the Arts throughout TroyFest, Saturday and Sunday.

“It is hard for a pencil drawing to compete with a painting or a sculpture,” Smith said. “So we have different categories and first, second and third place awards are presented in each category. We also have overall winners in each of the five age divisions. The winners in each of the age divisions win $100 for their classroom teacher to use for art supplies.”

Smith said the TroyFest Student Art Competition is a good way to promote the arts and the artists in the community and the surrounding area.

“The competition goes back to the foundation of art, which is the school system,” Smith said. “And, with the show held at the Johnson Center, it is also an opportunity for the students to be in the same place and at the same time with professional artists.”

This year, the students shared gallery space with the artwork of the late Jean Lake, who was the inspiration for TroyFest, the annual juried arts and crafts show.

“More than 200 people visited the Johnson Center during TroyFest to see the students’ artwork,” Smith said. “Many of them had not had an opportunity to see the arts center and, hopefully, they realized how wonderful it is and will visit the gallery during other exhibitions.”

The overall, Best of Show winners in the different age divisions are Jamelia Woods, Troy Elementary School, grades K-2; Jessica Wilcox, Troy Elementary School, grades 3-5; Hillary Barron, Charles Henderson Middle School, grades 6-8; Elizabeth Orlofsky, Charles Henderson High School, 9-10; and Amber Griffin, Pike County High School, grades 11-12.

The winners of the TroyFest Art Competition kindergarten through second grade are:

Drawing- Noah Prestwood, first; Lizzie Weed, second; and Caleb Bullock, third. Painting- Neha Sony, first; Mary Britton Hicks, second; and Dee Allen, third. Printmaking – Mkyra Hobdy, first; Kameron Ousley, second; and Brianna, Reynolds, third. Mixed Media- Tatum Brook, first; Nathan Arnold, second; and Sophie Kirk, third. Sculpture- Colton Taylor, first; Lily Ryan, second; and Morgan Barron, third.

The TroyFest Art Competition winners in grades three through five are: Drawing – Brandon Curtis, first; John Baxley Sanders, second; and Demi Huynh, third. Painting – Nicholas Loflin, first; Ayush Patel, second; Jeffery Knotts, third. Printmaking- Niky Li, first; Sydney Watson, second; and Cole Curtis, third. Mixed Media – Kiley Edenfield, first; Brandon Warren, second; and Bryce Senn, third. Sculpture- James Allen, first; Virginia Brunson, second; and Hannah Huner, third.

The winners of the TroyFest Art Competition in grades six through eight are: Drawing, Perry Bunn, first; Kacie Gibbons, second; and Kaylee Parker, third. Painting – Chelsea Holland, first; Kelsi Huynh, second; and Laken Maulden, third. Printmaking – Kaytlin Morgan, first; Perry Bunn, second; and Dillon McWaters, third. Mixed Media- Sarah Gordan, first; Chelsea Holland, second; and Cole Sanders, third. Sculpture – Kacie Gibbons, first; Peighton Carpenter, second; and Allyson Stamey, third. Photography Jackie Miller, first place.

TroyFest Art Competition winners in grades nine and10 are: Drawing – Jessica Large, first; Mikaela Stewart, second; and Kortnee Lampley, third. Painting – Jessica Large, first; Kristina Cole, second; and Kortnee Lampley, third. Printmaking – Sabriya Burks, first; Joshua Newson, second; and Kait Ross, third. Mixed Media – Sabriya Burks, first; Sydney Coleman, second; and Allie, Cooke, third. Computer Image – Joshua Newson, first; Aimee Frankum, second; and Sabriya Burks, third.

The winners in the TroyFest Art Competition from grades 11 and 12 are: Drawing, Jazmine Johnson, first, and Amanda Jordan, second. Painting – Betsey Jennings, first; Victoria Finkelstein, second; and Amanda Jordan, third. Printmaking – Betsey Jennings, first; Antoine Nelson, second; and Victoria Sawyer, third. Mixed Media, Christopher Howell, first; Amanda Jordan, second; and William Schrieber, third. Sculpture – Antoine Nelson, first, and Victoria Sawyer, second. Photography – Kate Mayotte, first, and Kalyn Skaggs, second. Computer Image – Jessica Cottrell, first; Quinton Marshall, second; and Rebecca Nasca, third.