Merced County high-schoolers’ art to show

The annual Honors High School Arts Show – which has historically been only for Merced Union High School District schools – has opened up to high schools across Merced County this year.

The Merced County Arts Council’s show, sponsored by Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union and the Merced County Office of Education, will feature the work of more than 50 high school artists, and begins with a free reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center, 645 W. Main St. in Merced.

This year the Arts Council invited all Merced County high schools to participate, gathering entries from 11 area high schools, including Livingston, Los Banos, Delhi and Le Grand.

Cash prizes will be awarded to artists in several categories, including Best in Show and a Superintendent’s Award, in which the winning artwork will be displayed in the Merced County Office of Education building. A People’s Choice award will be given at the end of the show; the public is invited to vote on the art.

The prizes will be awarded at the artist’s reception on Thursday, and the show will run through April 2.

Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, call the center at (209) 388-1090 or visit www.artsmerced.org.

This story was originally published February 9, 2015 at 11:52 AM with the headline "Merced County high-schoolers’ art to show."