LEWISTON – More than 500 guests attended the annual opening reception for the Mercedes Gastonguay student exhibit at the Atrium Art Gallery on July 16.

Highlights of the evening included the presentation of awards for outstanding work, with the top award going to Stacey Gravel for a pastel portrait. Judges for the exhibition were Elaine Cannan, art specialist for the Lewiston school system, and Ian Ormon, retired art teacher at Edward Little High School. Beverages for the event were supplied by the Edward Little Music Association parents and students.

The exhibit continues through Aug. 20 and highlights art work by students of Mercedes Gastonguay. The Atrium Art Gallery is located at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College, 51 Westminster St. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Awards were given for outstanding work with one best of show ribbon and first-, second- and third-place awards in six age categories, with additional honorable mention ribbons.

Best of Show: Stacey Gravel.

Ages 9 and 10: first, Jennifer Rioux; second, Benjamin Wigant; third, Kevin Shrader; honorable mention, Nicole Keaney, Cleo Miller and John Peters.

Age 11: first, Rachel Raczynski; second, Danielle Morin; third, Brittany Martin; honorable mention, Elizabeth Aguilar, Brianna Pease and Ashley Rogers.

Ages 12 to 13: first, Megan Beliveau; second, Joline Dubuc; third, Anna Smedley; honorable mention, Olivia Cote, Brittany Hearne, Amanda Martin and Shannon Martineau.

Ages 14 to 15: first, Brittanie Partridge; second, Moriah Churchill; third, Colton Jordan; honorable mention, Shanna Hale, Bethany Latulippe and Samantha Tanguay.

Ages 16 to 19: first, Amanda Blais; second, Kathryn Gagne; third, Nikki Chouinard; honorable mention, Sara Biron, Tony Letourneau and Ryan Stockberger.

Adults: first, Lorraine Lamare; second, Susan Kendall; third, Sue Caron; honorable mention, Ronald Bosse, Janet DuBois and Patricia Poulin.

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