There's a certain satisfaction that can only be achieved through hands-on creativity. That sense of pride and accomplishment when you step back and appreciate your work, completely open to being amazed by yourself, is invigorating whether it's the first time or the hundredth.

At the third annual art show at Lewiston High School, Tuesday, May 6, students experienced that satisfaction and pride as family and friends came to see their artwork.

Jody Dube, ceramics teacher at LHS, said the show was" kind of a year-end celebration, sort of a way to look back and see what's been done."

The works displayed are just a sample of what the art students at Lewiston High School have done throughout the year. In each medium, a variety of techniques were represented, highlighting their varied talents and creativity.

"I think it's really refreshing to see young people with such fresh perspective," said Deb St. Hilaire, mother of Ashley St. Hilaire, 16 and a junior at the school.

Ashley, a black-and-white photography student, was inspired by a decorative mask at home. She enlisted her sister, Brooke, 18 and a senior, as a model for her feature piece. Using a technique teacher Sarah Stocker introduced, she added subtle color, not wanting to add too much and take away from the photo as a whole.

"I chose just the eyes and lips, because I wanted to accentuate them, but I thought it was too perfect to mess with," said Ashley about why she didn't add more color to the photo.

"We bought that mask in Mexico. It's hanging in my living room by the fireplace. I look at it all the time, but I never would have thought of incorporating it in a picture." said Deb.

The photo, named "Janica" on the spot that evening, appeared on the invitations and brochure of the art show.

Another photography student, Elizabeth Starnegg, 17 and a junior, had taken much of her work home, but she still had some photos displayed in the photography room and drawings in a nearby hall that she and her mother, Robbi Starnegg of King's Bridge Theatre, had come to see.

"They have such a passion about what they do," said Robbi. "It makes me want to take art."

The room took some time to set up for viewing. Most of the photos, which were black and white, where displayed in groups or like themes.

"I've been working on it all week. The kids do all their own matting; the advanced kids learned to window mat," said Sarah Stocker, photography teacher.

Elizabeth pointed out the different techniques used in some of the photos displayed. Some were experiments with water, others Vaseline. All the effects were unique and fun.

"I love how, compared to digital photography where it focuses for you, with a manual camera you can focus the lens," said Elizabeth.

Lewiston school committee member John Butler came to see his daughter Alexandria's work.

One of Alexandria's pieces was a collage themed "my favorite place." She explained that her bedroom was the subject and that it took roughly two, 80-minute classes to complete. Her other piece was a charcoal sketch of still life.

"I've been drawing since I was 6 years old. I'm in a Bates class right now," said Alexandria, 15 and a freshman.

Painting and drawing teacher Nathaniel Meyers displayed his students' work in the hallway closest to his classroom. Some of his students had multiple pieces that he chose to display together on easels, giving the show a gallery feel. Meyers teaches drawing and painting, advanced drawing and painting and print-making.

One benefit of print-making is that multiple copies can be made to share with family and friends. The teachers try to encourage the students not to give their work away and to appreciate the value of their efforts and time.

"I think, a lot of time, it's just looked at as fun time or downtime between classes," said Meyers. "It is fun, but it's work, too."

Ceramic sculptures were arranged in glass cases, all expressions of the artist who created them. Dube has posted photos of some of his students work on a blog dedicated to art, www.lhsceramics.blogspot.com.

The hallways and classrooms were abuzz with favorable comments. Some people even seemed pleasantly surprised that high school students could present such a wide array of talent through photos, paintings, drawings and more.

"It's great, very diverse. It's creative, and it shows what we do in Lewiston for education," said Butler. "I think its (the art program) is the best in the state."

Principal Guy Leblanc admired the different techniques in some of the paintings and drawings as he spoke with parents.

"We have a lot of kids with a lot of talent, and I think this a great opportunity for them to express that. As you walk around, you see a broad range of artistic expression. You see some stuff that's really, really advanced," said Leblanc. "The other thing that this is a reflection of is we've got an incredibly talented art staff here, and look at the opportunities."

The art program at LHS consists of 21 courses offered by six teachers, Jody Dube, Nathaniel Meyers, Sarah Stocker, Sylvie St. Amand, Kyna Pitula, Jae-Eun Pilsbury and Linda Kivus.

By complete coincidence the art show, quilt sale and all-city chorus events all took place the same evening. So many art forms represented under one roof provided an array of culture and entertainment.