The awards for the annual High School Art Exhibit and Sale were handed out Friday at the Art Center. Lucas Kelly of Mars High School won first place in the painting division with "Air Travel."

The annual High School Art Exhibit Show and Sale packed the Art Center on Friday as the awards were handed out.

About half of the awards went to students from Mars High School.

Erin Sloane couldn't be more proud of her students. She has been teaching for 16 years and has spent the past 13 at Mars High School.

"I have the advantage of having an excellent partner to work with. Rita Johnson and I share similar philosophies about both art and education. We both believe that a student needs to grow both technically and conceptually," Sloan said.

When asked how she motivated her students, she said one word: "Talking."

"We talk a lot. They motivate and challenge each other. I do my best to never give a student praise for anything less than his or her best work ... but when I do see the best, I gush," Sloane said.

She believes false praise is counterproductive.

"I don't believe in heavy-handed undeserved praise building false self-esteem. I believe this is directly linked to the epidemic of apathy that plagues even my best students," Sloane said.

"Very few pieces are 'good enough.' We don't want to stop there."

Another proud teacher is Jim Nagel, who has been teaching art at Seneca Valley for 19 years. Several of his students placed in printmaking.

"Printmaking awards are from the senior career art class," Nagel said. "It is a class in which the students work independently. The only requirement is that students make a linoleum block print based on something in which they have an interest, such as photography, drawing, sculpture or architecture."

The show was judged by Heather Hertel of Slippery Rock University.

Also featured at The Art Center is The AABC "Grimm Fairy Tales" Art Exhibit, which will have its opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday in the Underground Gallery.It will feature art- and fashion-themed fairy tales, folklore and live readings."There will also be live performances featuring local bands Rainstation Zero!, Suffer Your Charm, Main Street Riot, and The Ginkkozthe. There will be a $5 cover charge for this event. Light refreshments will be served," said Paul Scanlon, AABC president.The door will open at 6 p.m., and live readings will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony and the live performances of the bands.People are encouraged to wear fashion inspired by fairy tales and folklore to add flair to the event.

The free Saturday art classes that were scheduled for Feb. 27 were moved to this Saturday. Those are: stuffed monsters, noon to 1:30 p.m.; Eric Carle animals, noon to 1:30 p.m.; and wax resist paintings, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

<b>WHAT: </b>The Associated Artist of Butler County presents the Annual High School Show and Sale and also Grimm's Fairy Tales Art Exhibit<b>WHEN: </b>Through March 26; noon to 6 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; noon to 9 p.m. Fridays; noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays<b>WHERE:</b> The Art Center, 344 S. Main St.<b>INFO:</b> 724-283-6922 or www.TheArtCenterButlerPA.org

Taylor Kaclik, also of Mars, won best of show with "Self Portrait."