More than 100 entries from students in kindergarten through 12th grade were received for this year's , held in conjunction with .
On Thursday morning, four different judges came to critique art pieces at the Mercer Island branch for three different categories: Painter Claudia Zimmerman judged the paintings; glassblower Joni Johnson, creator of Youth & Family Services' popular glass hearts and pumpkins, judged the 3-D and mixed media works; and West Seattle photographers Joanne and Jay Murray crossed the lake to judge the photography entries.
After her first look around, Johnson said she was going to have a hard time choosing the best. "What gets me is the creativity, because [the kids] haven't been told they can't do it yet," she said. "I see fun and uniqueness in every piece."
First, second and honorable mentions will be awarded in four different age groups, as well as 22 different special awards given in honor of past MIVAL members, some sponsored by donations from Island businesses. The awards will be announced during an opening show and ceremony at Wells Fargo Bank this Saturday at 1pm.
