Benicia High School art students show off their work at Arata Art Gallery for “Panther Perspective,” an art show fundraiser for the BHS art program. Pictured are Gabriel Pliegoe, Zoe Roberts, Fiona Lovett, Jay Lightfoot, Mackenzie Bradley, Charlotte Austria, William Bergeron, Spencer Owen, Allison A. Avery, Renee Cola Francesco, Marlie Fitzgerald, Hannah Marie Williams, Jamison Woy and Mia Bonotan.

(This article was originally published in the Feb. 12 print edition of the Herald)

BENICIA – Often times in the art world, to be considered a professional artist means that you show your work in galleries and/or sell your work to others. This is certainly not the only definition for being a professional artist, but at least fourteen art students at Benicia High School will have earned the right to use it and can now call themselves “professional artists.” Last Saturday, at an artist reception at Arata Art Gallery seven works were sold to visiting art patrons, paintings that were a part of “Panther Perspective” an art show featuring the art submitted by Benicia High School students in Beth Seilonen’s art classes.

At the reception the following students were honored for their impressive art now on exhibit: Gabriel Pliego, Zoe Roberts, Fiona Lovett, Jay Lightfoot, Mackenzie Bradley, Charlotte Austria, William Bergeron, Spencer Owen, Allison A. Avery, Renee Cola Francesco, Marlie Fitzgerald, Hannah Marie Williams, Jamison Woy, and Mia Bonotan.

And among these students the works of Gabriel, Zoe, Fiona and Jay were sold at the reception; seven paintings in all! All of the sold art pieces will be replaced this coming week.

If you missed the reception and show you still have an opportunity to come into the Gallery and admire the works of these talented young artists. Better yet, purchase a painting! All proceeds go to the Artist and the Benicia High School art program. Don’t miss the opportunity to support your community and the fine art program that makes this show possible.

Gallery hours are: Thursday to Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

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