Staff photo/Angela Weaver: New Knoxville first-grade student Raylee Smith points to her artwork,

The 2009 Regional Student Art Exhibit opened on Friday at Arts Place Inc.'s the Collective Center, 138 East Spring St., with a reception to recognize the student and teacher participants.
Center Director Heidi Steinke Meade said she contacted all the art teachers in Auglaize and Mercer counties for the Ohio center — Arts Place also holds a similar exhibit in their Indiana office.
"I asked them to submit up to seven pieces per school," she said. "We showcase them all. There are no prizes — just a chance for the kids to excel."
New Knoxville student Raylee Smith said she thought having her artwork displayed in an exhibit for the first time was "neat."
The first-grade student said she used construction paper, paint and tissue paper to make "Lindsay the Snowgirl."
"I used sponges to do the paint," she said. "We cut some tissue paper up and glued it on."
Raylee's mother Ashlee Smith said the two were surprised when they learned Raylee's piece was chosen.
"I'm just very proud of her," Smith said.
The exhibit wasn't the first for Wapakoneta student Sarah Pothast.
"I had one back in Findlay," the third-grade student said. "I made a duck."
Sarah said she used clay to make her cup, which she named "Swirlly Pearlly," and that is her favorite material.
"I like it," she said of seeing her work.
Sarah's father Brian Pothast said he was proud of his daughter.
"I'm quite proud of her," he said, adding that Sarah's previous artwork was shown at Findlay University. "We moved down here this spring."
Memorial High School junior Samantha Taylor said the experience was a little nerve-wracking for her.
"It bothers me that everyone can see it," she said of the first time her artwork has been in a show.
Taylor's two pieces — the white charcoal "Old Man with Beard" and the oil painting "Lady in Red" — were two of the pieces in the Collective Center's front windows.
"I like it," Taylor said of the exhibit as a whole. "It's fun to see all the different artwork. It's like our own little museum."
Taylor, who said she plans on studying graphic design after high school, said she has used charcoal, oil, acrylics and watercolors in the past.
"I prefer to stick with graphite — pencil," she said.
Memorial High School freshman Austin Boise said he visited Friday's reception to see Taylor's work.
"I think it looks good," he said. "I thought it would be fun to see her artwork."
The exhibit is held at the Collective Center every spring and this showcase includes works from students from St. Marys, Wapakoneta, New Bremen and New
Knoxville.
Steinke Meade said the exhibit is beneficial to the students because it gives them a chance to publicly show their art.
"It's another chance for them to showcase their work and to let the community know that the arts are important — especially for the kids," she said. "It's another way for them to shine."
The 2009 Regional Art Student Exhibit will be on display at the Collective Center through May 2. The Center's hours are from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday.