"A man is born an artist as a hippopotamus is born a hippopotamus; and you can no more make yourself one than you can make yourself a giraffe." This humorous yet astute assertion by essayist, critic and reformer John Ruskin (1819-1900) is at the heart of this year's 34th Annual Utah All-State High School Art Show: Some of these students were born to be artists.

On display at the Springville Museum of Art through March 24, this juried exhibit by our state's best high school art students is worthy of your perusal.

With 782 pieces entered from 77 different schools, and 392 works on display, the show fills nearly every gallery on the museum's main floor.

"Every year the talent that is displayed in the show grows and improves," said Virgil Jacobsen, the museum's assistant director and curator of education. "This is a wonderful chance for the people of Utah to see what kind of talent these youth have."

The eclectic vision of these young artists is noteworthy, albeit many still rely too heavily on copying photographs. However, there are some pieces that are genuinely unique and refreshing.

Despite the recurring question of minor episodes of weak execution — mostly due to age and lack of experience — it must be said that much of the art in the exhibit is good to very good.

If anything is lacking in the show, it's the quality of the matting and framing. Some of the pieces are so good that a better presentation would have positioned the work in a professional vein.

Fifty-five works were selected for awards, divided into two categories: juried and congressional. The museum's curatorial staff selected the congressional awards; the three first place winners will have their piece displayed at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

The Master's Award is determined by the exhibit's jurors: Lila Abersold, visual arts coordinator of the Utah Arts Council; Joseph Bennion, potter; Laura Lee Stay Bradshaw, sculptor; Laurel Casjens, photographer; Frank McEntire, assemblage artist; Robert Nickelson, painter, educator, curator; Glen Richards, illustrator; and Michael Workman, painter. Four works were selected for this award.

Jacobsen chose the coveted Director's Award based on his personal preference. This year's winner is Macie Hamblin, a senior from Viewmont, for her pastel, "Meagan." (For a complete list of winners, see accompanying sidebars.)

An awards ceremony for the winners, family members and teachers will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at the museum.

If you go

What: 34th Annual All-State High School Art Show