Dobyns-Bennett art students shine at regional exhibition

KINGSPORT — The Dobyns-Bennett High School art department recently announced the achievements of its students at "ArtEx 2026." "ArtEx" is a regional art exhibition held at the Bristol Public Library in Bristol, Virginia, and is sponsored by Bristol's Art in Public Places organization. The exhibit culminated in an awards ceremony on Saturday, May 9, where Dobyns-Bennett students took home numerous honors. A total of 16 student artworks were entered into the juried competition, and 14 of those pieces received awards across a range of media categories. The recognitions included The Best of Show Award, first-place finishes, second and third-place honors, and several honorable mentions. Dobyns-Bennett had the most individual winners and garnered $1,025 in award funds. A full list of awards is below. "These talented students should be commended for the remarkable success they achieved at ArtEx 2026," said Colonel Russell C. Bennett. "Their creativity, discipline, and commitment to excellence are evident in every award earned." The Dobyns-Bennett High School art department includes these educators: Bennett, Madison Church, Ashley Hobbs and Paige Trent. The Bristol Public Library exhibition provided an opportunity for students across the region to showcase their work to the public and gain valuable experience in presenting their art in a professional setting. Dobyns-Bennett ArtEx 2026 Award Winners BEST OF SHOW Layla Venzon / Soft Spot ACRYLIC PAINTING (Jr/Sr) Wade Philippi / Afternoon in Hong Kong / Third Place COLORED PENCIL/PASTELS (Jr/Sr) Taishawna Davis / Coqui Ingestion / First Place INK/MARKER (Fr/So) Jessica Milburn / Appalachian Sunset / First Place MIXED MEDIA (Jr/Sr) Lillyanna Peterson / Langosta en Movimiento / Honorable Mention OIL PAINTING (Jr/Sr)Isaac Lynch / At Home and Abroad / Second Place PENCIL/CHARCOAL (Jr/Sr) Lilly Krause / J. Colley / First Place Lexie Krause / The Librarian / Second Place 3D SCULPTURE (Fr/So) Brodan Harker / Mushroom House / Third Place 3D SCULPTURE (Jr/Sr) Beth Crow / Milly the Macaroni Penguin and Macaroni / First Place Ju'Tana Hickman / Easter Bunny / Second Place Kate Rinehart / Mischievous Monsters Two Ways / Third Place Caroline Miller / Animal Figures / Honorable Mention Katelyn Musser / One Fish Two Ways / Honorable Mention OTHER ENTRIES Robin Duke Juliet Petrie