Lampeter-Strasburg High School seniors Emma Dice, Alice Buffington, Gianna Fasano, and Leo Sanchez won Lancaster County Young Artists (LCYA) awards.

The students' work will be displayed with work from other winners Saturday, March 8, to Sunday, April 27, at the Lancaster Museum of Art, 135 N. Lime St., Lancaster. It will open with a public First Friday reception on March 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. 

Emma won a portfolio gold award and one honorable mention and was the recipient of the Mitch Lyons Clay Scholarship from Red Raven Art Company.

Emma's specialty is wheel-thrown ceramics handpainted with watercolor glazes. "I care more about the aesthetic than the concept with my clay work," she said. "I like it to look pretty."

Winning the Mitch Lyons Clay Scholarship means Emma's works will be displayed over the summer at Red Raven, 138 N. Prince St., Lancaster. "It was very validating," said Emma. "It was really hard to pick up ceramics as a skill. That's really awesome because it makes me feel like I'm good at it," said Emma.

Emma is planning to attend Millersville University to study art education and become an art teacher. "I work with kids at my church, Worship Center, and I love them. I think they're so sweet," Emma said. "I like to do crafts with them. My passion for art and teaching people are two things I enjoy."

Alice won two silver awards and received portfolio honorable mention. "I honestly was not expecting to win anything," she said. "I was doing it for fun. I'm really glad people liked it. It's very validating because I am very mean toward my own work. Seeing so many people compliment it and say it looks amazing was great."

Aside from pottery, Alice bases her work on a story she's been constructing since sixth grade called "Star Struck Sky." "There's a whole story concept going on in this world, and that's mainly why I draw," she said.

Alice has been accepted to Pennsylvania College of Art & Design and plans to major in illustration. "My whole life revolves around art now," she said.

Gianna, who won two silver awards and five honorable mentions, is heavily influenced by dancing, having started when she was 2. "A lot of my works have been centered around my past with dance," Gianna said. "I started a series for my AP Art Portfolio class this year, and I'm centering it around that progression from baby ballet to breaking free and doing my own thing, combining art and dance in ways I never thought I could."

A self-described "big fan of mixed media," Gianna deconstructed ballet shoes to make two dresses as part of a work. She incorporates glitter and sequins into some of her art because she feels that embodies her history of growing up as a ballerina.

Gianna is planning to continue creating art after high school. "A lot of the colleges I've looked at have strong art programs," she said. "Even if I'm not sure it's going to be my major, I need the art program to be there, so I have access to the materials and resources to keep making art."

Leo earned five honorable mentions. Five of the six pieces he submitted will be displayed at the LCYA art show. "It was interesting. I didn't know what people might think of my work," he said. "I was a little nervous."

Leo prefers working with clay on a wheel. "I throw pieces that look nice to me," he said. "I try to be as perfect as possible, but nothing is ever perfect. I try my best."

He plans to remain active in art. "I was thinking about buying my own wheel and getting clay and starting my own little business," Leo said.

Meg Lau, who teaches clay and sculpture at L-S, has taught all four of the award-winning students. "I think we have a great art program," said Lau. "Mr. (Scott) Cantrell and I work very well together, and we try to play off each other as we get to know one another's students. We see what they're doing with clay and two-dimensionally, and we try to merge that. We try to teach them foundations and skills early on, and then once they have those skills, they can take those skills in whatever direction interests them."

Cantrell said, "It's amazing to see them have success in what they do, because they're all so different in how they take art and the medium they choose. To see them all achieve in their own way and their personality shine is awesome."

The teachers encourage individuality. "It makes it more meaningful," Cantrell said. "That way, it's authentic."