Old Rochester Regional seniors received recognition for their talents in a recent “Senior Spotlight Show,” hosted by the Vault Gallery of Fine Arts in South Dartmouth.

Seniors Lindsey Merolla and Alice Bednarczyk were among the four winners of the Vault Gallery's first annual Senior Spotlight Show. Merolla's colored pencil piece titled “Jewels of the Sea” received third place, while Bednarczyk's multi-media piece titled “Fortune's Folly” received an honorable mention.

The students' winning pieces were part of the evening exhibit held at the fine arts gallery on November 25. Art enthusiasts, classmates, family and friends gathered for the celebration.

Gallery business partners Barbara Leger and Sandra Souher came up with the concept for the Senior Spotlight Show as a way to encourage up-and-coming young art students to follow their dreams of becoming professional career artists.

“It is a heart felt thing to be able to offer an opportunity, perhaps a first step and glimpse in to the world of being an artist,” explained Leger, as she expressed her delight and experiences in meeting so many talented young people from the local area. “Giving these enthusiastic students a venue to display their art work in a gallery next to world-class, award-winning artists shows them how promising their futures can really be. The students and teachers deserve recognition, and we are looking forward to doing it again next year in November,” she added.

As the Vault Gallery Art Director, Leger sent out invitations to 10 area high schools, including Old Rochester. Old Rochester high school art teacher Joanne Mogilnicki submitted 10 select pieces from her current Advanced Placement art class. “I am so proud of all my art students. They are very talented and my advanced placement seniors are working very hard. This was a wonderful, local experience for them to take part in,” she said.

Mogilnicki will also be entering select pieces from her students' art portfolios in the upcoming Boston Globe Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Competition, and the UMASS Dartmouth Emerging Young Artists shows in 2018.

The Vault Gallery of Fine Arts is also looking forward to showcasing another annual art contest for high school students grades 9-12, called “High School Showcase." It will begin this March.

The future looks colorful for both art show winners, who will graduate in June. Merolla's college plans include a major in English and a minor in art, while Bednarczyk will be focusing on her studies in architecture.