KELLOGG – A local high school art student was recently given an honorable mention at the University of Idaho’s annual High School Art Exhibition.

Kellogg High School senior Mackenzie Marker took the exhibition’s theme, “Art Speaks Truth” and really took it up another level.

The annual art competition, held in Moscow at the UI campus, is in its 28th year and invites more than 200 students from 30 high schools around the state (including larger North Idaho Schools) to compete and show off their creative abilities.

Using acrylic paint and wire, Mackenzie painted her masterpiece that she entitled “Klouvia Alitheia” (Greek), which translates to “caged truth.”

“When they asked us what ‘art speaks truth’ means, I don’t know, I have a hard time expressing emotions sometimes and this is what came to mind,” Marker said.

This was Marker’s first entry into the exhibition, which makes her honorable mention a very significant honor for the young artist.

Marker believes she may have scored higher if they had seen the original painting and not the digital scan of the painting.

“I don’t think they were able to get the full perspective,” Marker said.

Nevertheless, she says she will continue to create pieces of art as a hobby.

“I think that if I had to do it as a job, I might start to hate it,” Marker said. “I’ll definitely continue to do it as a hobby for myself though.”

Marker joins a highly esteemed list of KHS artists who have had success at the exhibition the last few years including Miranda Berger, Allysen Hei and Elizabeth Marek.

For more information about the Art Exhibition and the UI College of Art and Architecture, visit https://www.uidaho.edu/caa/news/annual-events/high-school-art-exhibit.