“WINDOWS AND MIRRORS”: This oil painting by Richa Palle of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North was awarded first place in the painting category in the 12th annual Youth Art Exhibition at Phillips’ Mill in New Hope, Pa.

Local artists of the future were honored at the 12th annual Youth Art Exhibition awards ceremony at Phillips’ Mill on January 25. One hundred and forty-nine works of art representing 147 student artists from 24 Pennsylvania and New Jersey high schools were reviewed by esteemed artist Freda Williams, who selected first, second, and third place winners and honorable mentions from five categories of work — painting, works on paper, photography, 3-dimensional work, and digital art. A Best in Show was also announced and a People’s Choice award — voted on by visitors to the gallery — will be announced at the close of the exhibition. The show runs through February 16.

Best In Show was awarded to Kathryn Sweeney of Council Rock High School North in Newtown, Pa., for her colored pencil drawing, Silent Sound. In her juror’s comments, Williams said she was “deeply impressed with the image’s overall presentation.” She marveled at the skill applied to making such a complex picture with colored pencil adding “The medium was extremely well and effectively handled. The detail speaks of the attention required to achieve the end result and the perspective was unusual.”

First place honors were presented to Richa Palle of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North for her oil painting Windows and Mirrors; Chloe Lefkowits of Council Rock High School South for her pen and ink drawing, Grandpa’s Spot; Jordan Kalnin of Central Bucks High School South for his ceramic, Teapot; Becket Washburn of The Pennington School for his photograph, Ascension; and Juliana Pallican of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South for her digital illustration, The Epiphany of Bass. For a listing of all award winners, and to view the entire show online, visit the Mill’s website at www.phillipsmill.org.

The Youth Art Exhibition is entirely funded by the Phillip’s Mill Community Association, its members, and supporters of the show. No fees are charged to students or schools to participate. No commissions are taken on the sale of artwork. No admission fees are charged to see the show.

Phillips’ Mill Community Association is located at 2619 River Road, New Hope, Pa. For more information, visit phillipsmill.org or call (215) 862-0582.