Liberty County High School’s Media Center was transformed into an art gallery Thursday night as more than 80 students submitted work for the school’s annual Arts Fest.

“We wanted to stage it as a real art show to give them a professional experience of what it is really like,” fine-arts department head and art-club advisor Marjett Schille said.

The festival was sponsored by the Art Club, and it appeared they had every detail covered, from the art exhibit and refreshments to the Greek-themed hospitality crew and men-in-black security.

The jazz ensemble started the night in a commons area and was followed by the foreign-language club presenting singing and dancing that had members of the audience on their feet and center stage as they picked partners from the crowd to finish the performance.

Art Club President Emily Carrier received several awards for her showcased pieces.

Carrier said she wants to pursue her dream of illustration and one day work for Disney. After graduation, she will be attending Savannah College of Art and Design to major in illustration.

“I have always loved art and started thinking about a career in art when I was in middle school,” Carrier said. “You don’t have to be good at it to love it, and I enjoy seeing people who have a passion for it.”

Carrier said her family and teachers always have supported her art, and that was very important for her in pursuing her dream.

Visitors voted on their favorite 2D or 3D piece for the people’s-choice award that was announced at the end of the night.

Chorus soloists, winter guard and a skit by the drama club rounded out the night. There also were poetry readings and music performed by Allen Keel in the media center.

The art will be displayed at Liberty County High for a week and then for two weeks at The Heritage Bank.

Bradwell Institute also displayed student works last week at the Liberty County Board of Education building on Bradwell Street.

The Bradwell display, which features drawings and pottery from students, will run through next week in the building lobby.

“They work very hard to achieve this level of accomplishment—akin to a sports victory,” BI drawing teacher Joanne Remppel said. “But it’s a quiet achievement.”

Winners were: 3D art — First,  Allen Keel; second, Rachel Marquez; third,  Amy Butler. Graphic design — First,  Emily Carrier; second,  Andrea Lamboy; third,  Kayla Gamble. Characters and sequential art — First,  Dashawna Pirtle; second,  Matt Perkins; third,  Jackie Holt. Mixed media — First, Genesis Robles; second,  Katherine Maier; third,  Garrett O’Rourke. Photography — First,  Auraleigha Reneau; second,  Hannah Bernades; third,  Maggie Best. Painting — First,  Carrier; second,  L.J. Paraday; third,  Kayla Gamble. Drawing — First, Robert Score; second,  Carrier; third, Robbie Holton. Fabric art — First, Rachel Marquez; second, Mia Farr and Deloris Bussey. Award of excellence — De’Linlee Rouse and Victoria King.

Volunteers at the event included Hinesville Arts Council Secretary Christina Mansfield, who judged; club advisors Schille and Mary Beth Bowen; Mike Collins, Drama Club advisor; Paul Sohayda, Band director; Lidia Romero and Ivana Andrade, Spanish Club advisors; and Joell Greco, winter guard advisor.