CVA students earn local and national recognition

Students at the Center for Visual Arts at the Burton Center for Arts & Technology are making their mark on both the national and local stage, earning top honors in prestigious competitions and community showcases that highlight the depth of their artistic talent.

Most recently, three Burton Center students were recognized at the national level in the Scholastic Art Awards, the country’s longest-running and most respected program for creative teens. Presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the awards date back to 1923 and draw thousands of entries from across the nation each year.

Through the regional program coordinated by the Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley, more than 400 student works were submitted from across Southwest Virginia. Only Gold Key winners advance to national adjudication, where roughly 30 percent earn medals—making recognition at this level a notable achievement.

Burton Center students earned three national Silver Medals:

• Nate Buck for A Hearty Meal (Illustration)
• Sunday Dhane for Suffocation (Illustration)
• Meisha Robinson for Bloom (Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage)

Their work will be featured this June in a national exhibition in New York City, culminating in a ceremony at Carnegie Hall—a milestone moment for emerging artists.

While national accolades highlight their technical skill and creative voice, Burton Center students are also making an impact closer to home. In the recent Best in Show hosted by the Roanoke Valley SPCA, several CVA students earned a wide range of honors, including Best High School Entry, the Playtime Award, Staff Favorite, and a tie for the People’s Choice Award. Many others were recognized with a “Round of A-Paws” for their imaginative and expressive work.