The Wallowa Valley Youth Arts Festival filled Joseph Community Center with student artwork from all over the county for the 25th consecutive year last weekend.

I love this show. The creative expression, the color, and the joy, said Joseph artist Kathy Drake, as she browsed through the large exhibit of paintings, ceramics, photographs and other art pieces. In all there were 654 works of art entered in the show.

Student musicians performed throughout the day, showing another type of talent.

While all artists earned a blue, red or white ribbon, several artists received special recognition.

The Judges Choice award, chosen by a panel of judges, went to Wallowa 1st grader Gabriel Nobles for his painting of a blue bird perched on a limb, titled Springs First Song.

Peoples Choice, decided by a vote of all those who attended the show, was awarded to Bayden Menton, a Joseph 4th grader, for his untitled painting of a forest scene. Both the Judges and Peoples Choice winners received $25.

Special ribbons were awarded to Artistic Merit Award winners Gabriel Hawkins, Joseph 5th grade, ceramic, Aquatic Life; Ariana Latta, Enterprise 5th grade, Unreal Solo; and Christina Russell, Enterprise 8th grade, 3-D Self Portrait.

Directors Honorable Mention ribbons were awarded to Blade Suto, Joseph 3rd grade Bird Chalk; Bayden Menton, Joseph 4th, untitled painting (also Peoples Choice); and Sam Zeigler, Joseph 8th grade, 5 days watercolor.

Leah Johnson and Will Roundy were co-directors of the show, which was sponsored by the Wallowa Valley Arts Council.