Blake Ellis/The Independent

“This means so much to me,” said Brooklyn Brown. The Grade 12 student at LCCVI received one of three outstanding works awards.

Brown, 18, received the award which came with a $250 prize, on Saturday during the exhibition of Lambton County secondary schools’ senior student art show, Fast Forward, hosted by Gallery in the Grove in Brights Grove. Her winning piece, “Reflected Skies,” also received an award in the design category.

Brown has been involved in art for much of her life, saying she has amazing teachers throughout the years who have encouraged in her development and endeavours.

She will be attending Western University to study art in September, with an eye on becoming an art teacher. Brown hopes to return to Lambton County when she completes her studies to further pass on her love and knowledge of art through teaching.

Brown said art is important because it serves as an outlet for people in expressing themselves, reduces stress and serves as a safe place.

Another LCCVI student, Marnie Sawyer, also received an outstanding work award with a $150 prize with her piece, “Neptune’s Wrath, which also won top prize in the print making category. Sawyer was not present for the award ceremony.

The high school art exhibition has had a long history in Lambton County and Gallery in the Grove has been a part of it since 2013, said Gwen Moore, Gallery in the Groves education chair.

“We are pleased to display the students art in an authentic gallery setting,” said Moore. The students went through a juried process to be included in the exhibition, then the art was juried again to determine who won awards.

“Your creativity is evident as we look around us,” said Moore. “Your work is both thoughtful and thought provoking.”

Also part of the display is art, which was created as the Visiting Artists in Lambton School Program, which went into 25 Grade 6 classes.

Fast Forward will be at the Gallery in the Grove until May 24.