Young artists from the Wabash Valley were honored during the Sisters of Providence Youth Art Contest reception conducted March 4 in Providence Center at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

This year’s contest, in its fourth year, attracted 36 entries. The theme was “Saint Mother Theodore Guerin — Indiana Pioneer.” Each young artist was asked to use his or her imagination and creativity to depict how Saint Mother Theodore exemplified the pioneer spirit.

Saint Mother Theodore came to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods from Ruillé-sur-Loir, France, with five other Sisters of Providence and had been asked to open schools and to share the love of God with pioneers in the Diocese of Vincennes in the State of Indiana. They arrived via stagecoach at the site of their mission at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., the evening of Oct. 22, 1840.

All the artwork entered in this year’s contest was on display prior to the start of the program. Appoximately 85 people and youths attended the reception in O’Shaughnessy Dining Room. In addition to the young artists, the audience members included parents, siblings, grandparents, Sisters of Providence and other guests.

Sister Ann Casper, executive director of the Office of Congregational Advancement, served as emcee. Presenting the awards were Sisters Paula Damiano, Jane Marie Osterholt and Marsha Speth, along with Art Criss, vice president for enrollment management at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and Lynn Hughes, executive director of the Terre Haute Children’s Museum.

Winners were:

Ages 5-7: Celine Mitchell, first place; Savannah Jane McCoy, second place; Celine Park, third place; and Claire Pfister, honorable mention.

Ages 8-10: Zachary Klug, first place; Kate Grabowski, second place; Yzabel D. Tio, third place; and Erin Pfister, honorable mention.

Ages 11-13: Gabriella Renteria, first place; Alexis Klug, second place; Gabby Comelleri, third place; and Judson Long, honorable mention.

Ages 14-18: Jon Drobny, first place; Kayla Pepelea, second place; Courtney Pfister, third place; and Kendra Carlson, honorable mention.

Top 16 winners in the Sisters of Providence Youth Art Contest received awards at the March 4 reception conducted in Providence Center at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Winners were (seated, from left) Ages 5-7: Celine Mitchell, Savannah Jane McCoy, Celine Park and Claire Pfister; Ages 8-10:  Zachary Klug, Kate Grabowski, Yzabel D. Tio and Erin Pfister; (standing, from left) Ages 11-13:  Gabriella Renteria, Alexis Klug, Gabby Comelleri and Judson Long; and Ages 14-18: Courtney Pfister and Kendra Carlson. Not pictured are Jon Drobny and Kayla Pepelea.

First- through third-place winners won cash prizes courtesy of Terre Haute Savings Bank, in addition to ribbons and certificates. Honorable mention winners in the four categories won a ribbon and certificate.

The Terre Haute Children’s Museum presented free admission tickets to the top 16 winners so they may visit the new museum when it opens later this year.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College provided $1,000 First Year Tuition Awards to the four first-place winners. The tuition awards may be used the first year by a female who attends Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, or by a male or female student particiating in his or her first year with the college’s Woods External Degree program.

Each young artist who entered the contest received a Certificate of Participation and ribbon.

The top 16 winners’ artwork is on display in the Heritage Museum at Providence Center through March 26. Also, the 16 art pieces will be displayed during the Sisters of Providence annual Family Day, which is scheduled Sunday, June 13.