2009 Art Contest Winners Announced!


New Market Battlefield staff pose at the Hall of Valor Museum’s stained-glass window with student art contest winners. L-R: Judy Drury, Visitor Services Supervisor; Hannah Chacon; Nate Watts; Andrick Chacon; Helani Chacon; Aaron Chacon; Leah England; Scott Harris, Director.

Winners of the first New Market Battlefield State Historical Park Student Art Contest were recognized at a ceremony and reception held at the Park’s Hall of Valor Museum on Sunday, September 13. Presenting the contest prizes were New Market Battlefield Director Scott Harris and Visitor Services Supervisor Judy Drury, contest organizer.

The theme of the contest was “My Impression of the New Market Battlefield’s Stained-Glass Window.” The colorful window, a distinctive feature of the Hall of Valor Museum, was created by Israeli-born artist Ami Shamir in 1970. It includes elements pertaining to the Shenandoah Valley, the Civil War, and the Battle of New Market, including the names of the ten Virginia Military Institute cadets killed in the battle on May 15, 1864.



Students could submit entries in the form of an original print, drawing, painting, collage, photographic collage, fiber work, or computer-generated artwork reflecting the student’s impression of the window. Each entry had to be the original work of one student only. Adults could guide the student in medium selection, but could not alter the creative integrity of the student's work. Entries were judged in two categories—Primary (up to age 7) and Intermediate (ages 8 to 10). Two other categories (Middle/Junior and Senior) had no entries. Contestants included students who had participated in educational tours and programs at the Park between August 15, 2008 and June 15, 2009. Entries were judged by Park staff and Mrs. Martha Yankey, an art teacher in the Rockingham County Public Schools. 

“It is said that art can be a window into the soul, so it is fitting that our first student art contest focused on our museum’s most prominent feature, the stained-glass window,” noted Harris. “We are already working on next year’s contest, and hope even more budding artists will take part.”

Congratulations to our 2009 winners!

Andrick Chacon
1st Place, Primary
Hannah Chacon
2nd Place, Primary
Helani Chacon
3rd Place, Primary
NateWatts
1st Place, Intermediate
Darwin Lau
2nd Place Intermediate

Aaron Chacon
3rd Place Intermediate

Leah England
Honorable Mention
Samantha Lau
Honorable Mention

For more information, please call 1-866-515-1864

We would like to thank the following area businesses for their
support and generous donations:

• Greater Atlantic Bank, New Market, VA
• Suntrust, New Market, VA
• BB & T Bank, New Market, and Mt. Jackson, VA branches
• Farmers and Merchants Bank, Timberville, VA
• Massanuttten Resort’s WaterPark, McGaheysville, VA
• Quality Inn – Shenandoah Valley, New Market, VA
• Wal-Mart, Harrisonburg Crossing, Harrisonburg, VA
• Wal-Mart, John Wayland Highway location, Harrisonburg, VA
• Target, Harrisonburg, VA
• Cold Stone Creamery, Harrisonburg Crossing, Harrisonburg, VA
• Burger King, New Market, VA
• McDonald’s, New Market, VA
• Regal Cinemas, Harrisonburg, VA