ORANGE PARK – The 35th Annual Clay County District Schools Student Art Show will be at the Thrasher-Horne Conference Center on Friday and Saturday, on May 16-17.

The doors open at 4 p.m. on Friday, and the opening celebration begins at 6 p.m. On Saturday, doors open at 10 a.m.

Artwork from the district’s elementary, junior and senior high art classes will be displayed. Students and families can explore the Family and Community Engagement room, watch student artists working on their craft, hear and see performances while viewing artwork.

The event is free and open to the public.

The art includes self-portraits, ceramics, contemporary, modern art, pop art and other styles.

Students utilized their creative abilities to render their best impressions of self-portraits, animals, nature, food and more.

Among the guest judges who reviewed submissions: the Art Guild of Orange Park, College Drive Initiative, Clay Education Foundation, Orange Park Mall, County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, Clay County Fire and Rescue, County Public Library and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Last year’s winner was Clay High senior Audrey Milligan. Two of her watercolors were on display throughout Northeast Florida after the show.

U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean selected her " UNBOTTLED " piece as the Clay County finalist in the Congressional Art Competition for Florida’s Fourth Congressional District. The work was displayed at the Student Gallery at the Jacksonville International Airport for 11 weeks.

“Since the early days of our founding, art has been essential to creating America’s character. Even George Washington noted that every good citizen has to encourage the arts,” Bean said. “These young artists submitted bold, dynamic and thought-provoking artwork that showcased just how talented our Northeastern Florida high school students are. And I believe that if Washington were here with us, he would agree that our students have fulfilled their duties and enriched our district's legacy.”

Another of Milligan’s pieces won an Award for Excellence at the Clay County Art Show at Thrasher-Horne Center. This one portrayed a girl wearing headphones.

It was included with other local winners in the June Art in the Courthouse display on the Clay County Courthouse's fourth floor.