The Art Department at North Central Texas College recently announced the list of winners in the 43rd annual NCTC Art Show, which challenged artists to illustrate the theme of “Friends.”

Top entrants picked up their plaques, certificates and cash awards in ceremonies held in the Little Theater on the Gainesville campus, with George Neal of the art department faculty officiating.

The number of entries in the various student divisions in­creased from last year, with 150 works submitted for judging. 

The awards ceremony ended a weeklong public exhibition of the entries in a range of media categories — from oil painting and jew­elry to digital photography and sculpture.

Awards were given to top entries in both student and non-student divisions.

The following are Denton-area participants:

n The theme award went to Brittni Brock from Denton High School for her painting “Best Friends — A Piece of My Heart.”  

n The Grand Avenue Animal Clinic gave Mary Baker of Im­maculate Conception Catholic School an award for her animal-themed “Mosaic Cat.”  

n Other local art show winners included: Elementary School Division II (grades 3-5), first place: Jona Poster, Valley View; third place: Monica Hogan, Immaculate Conception; Middle School Division III (grades 6-8), third place: Trace Wilcox, Im­maculate Conception;

Winners in High School Division IV (grades 9-10) were, first place: Garrett McCullough, Aubrey High School; second place: Stephen Bow, Ryan High School; honorable mention: Juanita Rodriguez, Denton High School; High School Division V (grades 11-12), first place: Katie Hickerson, Ryan; second place: Sylvia Li, Denton; third place: Ashley Ortez, Aubrey; honorable mention: Courtney Izors Dicsson, Ryan.