A variety of beautiful artwork was on display at the Lincoln Center when the Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club presented art awards to local seventh and eighth grade students April 26.

As part of the Junior Woman’s Club’s mission to support educational as well as personal growth in the community, the organization sponsors a Junior High Art Contest each year, open to all seventh and eighth grade students in Downers Grove. The 2011 contest had 53 entries, which came from Avery Coonley, Herrick, Lakeview, O’Neill, St. Joseph and St. Mary’s.

Best in Show overall was awarded to Lakeview Junior High student Angie Martino for her watercolor, charcoal and graphite sketch entitled “Music Can Take You Places.” Angie received two passes to the Art Institute of Chicago, one pass to the Elmhurst Art Museum and a $100 cash award.

First place for seventh grade was awarded to Haley Beube from O’Neill for her acrylic paint piece called “Eye Am.” First place for eighth grade went to Giulia Caulfield from St. Joseph School for her charcoal sketch, “Daydreamer.” They received Elmhurst Art Museum passes and $75 cash awards.

Second place for seventh grade went to Sophie Baillargeon from Avery Coonley for her paper mosaic, “Dolphin Vase.” Second place for eighth grade went to Natalie Heniff from Avery Coonley for her oil painting, “My Buddy.” They received Museum passes and $50 cash awards.

Receiving third place for seventh grade was Jack LaLonde from St. Mary of Gostyn for his clay mask entitled "Harvey Dent." Receiving third place for eighth grade was Therese Massura from St. Mary’s for her clay and glaze piece, “Watchful Snake.” They received Museum passes and a $25 cash award.

Receiving honorable mentions were St. Mary’s seventh-grader Katie Callaghan, for her clay mask entitled “Medusa with Make-up”; Herrick seventh-grader Emily Wilson, for her painting titled “Owl”; Herrick seventh-grader Meghan Eubeler for her pencil sketch “Massie and Claire”; Avery Coonley eighth-grader Danielle Madsen for her pen and ink piece entitled “Autumn’s Cornucopia”; and O’Neill seventh-grader Ryan Kolb for his tempura, acrylic and pencil piece called “Life.” Honorable mentions winners received certificates and Museum passes.

The students’ artwork will be on display at the Downers Grove Public Library.

The entries were judged by Roger and Susan Schillerstrom; Roger has been the cartoonist for Chicago’s Crain Magazine for more than 20 years, while Susan is an artist currently working with glass mosaics. Awards were donated by Community Bank of Downers Grove, Elmhurst Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago. This year’s contest was organized by Ana O’Neil, Krista Rechtorik and Barbara Holloway.