Amber Christensen (left) and Chelsea Benson with their winning artwork [Click to enlarge]

Rector High School seventh grader Amber Christensen won second place and RHS sophomore Chelsea Benson third place at a gathering Saturday to celebrate art at the conclusion of the Rockefeller Institute's third annual "Arts in the Air" student art contest, held at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute on Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton.

"We are so excited and very proud of these students," said RHS art teacher Carolyn Caldwell.

Christensen won in the sixth through eighth grade division with her painting "Bright Forest Shores," which features the Pacific coast, her former home. She received $75.

Benson won in the ninth through 12th grade division for her painting "Cotton." She received $100.

Christensen and Rector sixth grader Brittany Tracer, also a district "Art from the Heart" winner, were among nearly 300 young Arkansas artists and their guests who gathered for the state event. Benson was unable to attend, as were other Rector district winners Kelly Fowler and Jesse Studdard, in the sixth through eighth grade division, and Joabou Mitchell in the ninth through 12th grade division.

Teresa Lopez and Neeley Sims accompanied Caldwell, along with Brittany's parents.

All students attending the Petit Jean event were named state finalists in regional contests held across Arkansas in February and March. Over 1,000 students submitted entries to the regional competition sites for their respective counties.

In accordance with this year's theme, "Art From the Heart," students were challenged to look inward and create an image that came straight from their hearts. The contest was open to all Arkansas students from kindergarten through 12th grade and was judged in grade-based divisions: kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth grade, sixth through eighth grade, and ninth through 12th grade.

The state finalists spent the day browsing through the student art gallery, creating a piece of a quilt for the public art project, and participating in special "Winners Workshops" for their respective age groups. Amber and Brittany attended a collage workshop.

An awards ceremony in the late afternoon recognized overall place winners and an honorable mention in each grade-based division, along with three special recognition awards: one for representation of theme, one for creativity and one for technique.

State winners in the kindergarten through second grade division are:

* First Place -- "Spirit Over the Night and Day," Riley Barnett of East Side Elementary School, Magnolia.

* Second Place -- "My Clumsy Puppy," Sarah Todd of The Art School, Conway.

* Third Place -- "Loving the World," Hannah Bienhoff of Ringgold Elementary School, Benton.

* Honorable Mention -- "Giraffes," Caleb Gaines of Waldron Elementary School, Waldron.

* Representation of Theme -- "Treated Even," Grant Blanchette of The New School, Fayetteville.

* Creativity -- "Untitled," Ethan Lehman of Our Lady of the Holy Souls School, Little Rock.

* Technique -- "Nana's Flowers," Brad Stair of Heber Springs Elementary School, Heber Springs.

State winners in the third through fifth grade division are:

* First Place -- "Faith," Elizabeth Rushing of Magness Creek Elementary School, Cabot.

* Second Place -- "I Love Bacon," Lucas Griffin of Faulk Elementary School, West Memphis.

* Third Place -- "Honoring George Catlain," Kat Oglesby of Our Lady of the Holy Souls School, Little Rock.

* Honorable Mention -- "Black Beauty," Jessica Dumas of Yocum Elementary School, El Dorado.

* Representation of Theme -- "Yo Sio Yo," Lizbeth Romero of Faulk Elementary School, West Memphis.

* Creativity -- "Hungry Bug," Adam Forrest of Waldron Elementary School, Waldron.

* Technique -- "Caroline, My Best Friend," Allison Dombek of The Art School, Conway.

State winners in the sixth through eighth grade division are:

* First Place -- "Family Tree," Erick Acuchi of Star City Middle School, Star City.

* Second Place -- "Bright Forest Shores," Amber Christensen of Rector High School, Rector.

* Third Place -- "Brothers," Mark Smith of Lake Hamilton Middle School, Pearcy.

* Honorable Mention -- "Mommy and Daddy's Little Princess," Ellen Morris of Pottsville Junior High School, Pottsville.

* Representation of Theme -- "The Night House," Torre Greene of the Southwest Arkansas Art Council's After School 21st CCLC, Hope.

* Creativity -- "A Burned Love," Skye Austin of Monticello Middle School, Monticello.

* Technique -- "Wilson," Megan Nolte of Ahlf Junior High School, Searcy.

State winners in the ninth through 12th grade division are ;

* First Place -- "Untitled," Kristen Vaughan of Little Rock Christian Academy, Little Rock.

* Second Place -- "Black Achievers," Thomas Albert of Barton High School, Helena.

* Third Place -- "Cotton," Chelsea Benson of Rector High School, Rector.

* Honorable Mention -- "Sing from your Heart," Bonnie Keith of Magnolia High School, Magnolia.

* Representation of Theme -- "Beloved Guardian Angel," Rachal Joe of Nevada High School, Rosston.

* Creativity -- "The Tin-Man's Heart," Shelby Ray of Conway High School, Conway.

* Technique -- "Love They Share," Charon Minor of Helena Central High School, West Helena.

Rector High School gifted and talented teacher Gail Burns was the organizer for the district "Art from the Heart" contest, held in March at the Rector Community Center.

Guidelines for Arts in the Air 2009 will be released in the fall of this year. For more information about arts programming at the Rockefeller Institute, visit www.uawri.org, and click on "Arts" under the "Educational Programs" tab.

The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute of the University of Arkansas System is a unique educational center with conference and lodging facilities. Committed to acting as a catalyst, its vision involves combining the legacy and ideas of Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller with the resources and expertise of the state's premier university system. Its mission is to develop diverse programs that nurture ideas, policies and activities to make life better in Arkansas.

The Rockefeller Institute accomplishes its mission by offering a variety of workshops, seminars, public lectures, conferences and special events. Program areas include the arts, culinary arts, public affairs, language instruction, the environment, archeology, heritage and health and wellness.

For more information, visit www.uawri.org or call (501) 727-5435.