Holy Ghost Prep senior Owen Yake captured first prize in painting on January 20 for his self-portrait at the Phillips Mill Community Association 5th Annual Youth Art Exhibition.

“Owen’s success in art has its basis in his extraordinary work ethic. From the time he was a freshman, he has spent very free period, break, and lunch in the studio,” says Karen Smallen, Holy Ghost Prep’s  renowned art teacher for the past 25 years.  

“Today, there is nothing he cannot draw. In Senior Portfolio, he is painting at a college level. He works from his own photos and has a good eye for subject and composition. Owen is learning to push boundaries with color—again, at a college level. Great art does not happen without taking risks. I cannot wait to see what Owen does in college!”

Yake’s first-place finish, and the $200 prize, is impressive because the show features 126 student artists from 18 different area schools. This community gallery, located in New Hope, Pennsylvania, invites schools within a 30-mile radius of “the mill” to participate.

The exhibit is on display from 1 to 5 p.m. this weekend, as well as Feb. 3, 4, 10 and 11 at the historic Phillips Mill, 2619 River Road in New Hope. Admission is free. The exhibit features paintings, pastels, drawings, collages, digital works, photography, ceramics, and sculptures.

In addition to Yake, six other Holy Ghost Prep students have their work on display at this Phillips Mill show: senior Chris Aileo (painting); senior Jake Lawall (drawing); senior Stefano Arnone (intaglio print); juniors Will Krohn and Jack Rittenmeyer (prints), and sophomore Schuyler Cauley (a book in the 3-D category).