ARLINGTON, Texas - Winners of the 2004 Metropolitan Classical Ballet / AISD Nutcracker Art Contest have been announced. This marks the third year the AISD has joined with Metropolitan Classical Ballet in presenting the contest. The annual contest not only promotes Metropolitan Classical Ballet's annual production of The Nutcracker, but it fosters student enthusiasm for the school district's art program. Ron Durham, AISD art director and Metropolitan Classical Ballet are very pleased with the tremendous participation within all participating schools.

In October, AISD students from all levels began working on their entries. They were asked to design an 11 X 17 poster illustrating Metropolitan Classical Ballet's 2004 production of The Nutcracker. Over 600 posters were submitted. The entries were judged by the Arlington Museum of Art, under the direction of Anne Allen.

Three winners were chosen from each level: Elementary, Junior High and High School, for a total of nine overall winners. Each winner receives a substantial cash prize for his or her participation. In addition to the student prizes, the art department of the first prize winners will receive a cash prize as a reward for their participation. The law firm of Hill Gilstrap sponsors the generous cash prizes for the nine student winners, as well as the art department rewards.

This years winners:

HIGH SCHOOL:
1st Place - Pierce Colman - Martin High School
2nd Place - Briana Arzola - Bowie High School
3rd Place - Kelsey Kemper - Bowie High School
Honorable Mention - Lorell Kneebone - Lamar High School

JUNIOR HIGH:
1st Place - Kirstin Riggs - Ousley Junior High
2nd Place - Brandon Love - Ousley Junior High
3rd Place - Monica Alaniz - Nichols Junior High
Honorable Mention - Rudy Olenga - Ousley Junior High

ELEMENTARY:
1st Place - Cheyenne Martin - Atherton Elementary
2nd Place - Kaylor Hopkins - Ashworth Elementary
3rd Place - Robert Esqueda - South Davis Elementary
Honorable Mention - Marissa Knutson - Ashworth

The winning artwork will be on display this weekend at all four performances of Alexander Vetrov's full-length version of The Nutcracker to be held at Texas Hall on the campus of the University of Texas in Arlington. Performances are Friday, December 17th at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, December 18th at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 19th at 2:00 p.m. All performances will be set to the musical accompaniment of the Texas Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Metropolitan Classical Ballet's music director, Ron Spigelman.

Tickets range in price from $10 - $30, and are available only through Metropolitan Classical Ballet. Call (817) 465-4644 or order online at mcballet.org. Tickets are available at the administrative office at 500 W. Abram, Arlington, Texas. Tickets may also be purchased at the Texas Hall box office one hour prior to the beginning of each performance. Season sponsors include American Airlines, WRR Classical 101, the Arlington Star-Telegram and the law firm of Hill Gilstrap.

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Media Note: Further information may be obtained by contacting Judy Puder at (817) 465-4644

 

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