Five students won awards from the Arkansas Young Artist Association March 4 at the State Convention Center in downtown Little Rock.

Senior Josh Lloyd placed in two separate categories and received a scholarship offer to Memphis College of Art, senior Karissa Howard won fourth in mixed media 2-D abstract, junior Alex Carrillo won first in pastel abstract, senior Ashton Eley won an honorable mention in pastel expressive and junior Julie Joo placed fourth in all reproduction first year.

AYAA is a state-wide art competition for high school students across Arkansas.

“This is our only state event where any student can enter,” art teacher Karen McManus said. “In other competitions, I have to pick one student from my classes to enter, which means not everyone gets a chance to show their work.”

Students competing could enter up to five pieces of artwork, each in a different category. Sixty-one categories were available for students to enter, ranging from sculpture to oil pastel.

“Giving my students a chance to display their work is the most important thing,” McManus said. “It’s important that they are inspired too.”