MATTAWA - Seven pieces by area high school artists, including two from Wahluke, have advanced to OSPI's statewide Superintendent's High School Art Show later this spring.

They were chosen as standouts among the 149 entries in this year's ESD 105 Regional High School Art Show at Yakima. They were juried by Dr. Shari Stoddard of the Central Washington University art faculty.

Regional award winners from Wahluke are:

Jonathan Abarca is a 12th grader at Wahluke High School. He entered a graphite drawing titled "Identifying Me."

Abarca was also a regional award winner as a 10th grade student during the 2010 Regional High School Art Show.

Rodrigo Bautista, a 12th grader at Wahluke, entered a colored pencil artwork titled "Gathering Emotions."

Abarca and Bautista's art teacher is Vanessa Weaver. Weaver's students have had work selected to advance to OSPI's statewide show for three of the past four years.

The statewide show, titled "Artistry, Brilliance, and Creativity in Washington State," will run April 6 through June 1 at the Old Capitol Building in Olympia. The awards reception for the state show will be held May 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. Awards of $200 cash purchases are expected to be given in 11 categories.

The 2012 regional show of paintings, drawings, photography, and sculptures included a record-high total of 149 entries by 136 students of 26 teachers from 21 regional high schools.

The 39th annual Regional High School Art Show continues through March 10. The public may view the exhibit at Allied Art. 5000 Lincoln Ave. Yakima, Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and during special events.