Marie Rathburg’s skills as an artist have made her $500 richer.
The Oxford High School senior was the recipient of the $500 Steven J. Crowder Award for her participation in the Orion Art Center’s 8th Annual Joan Brace Scholarship Competition.
‘I was shocked,? said Rathburg, noting this was her first art competition. ‘I wasn’t expecting it.?
Two unique pieces of art won Rathburg the award.
The first was a beautiful stained glass box characterized by a rich blue color mimicking water and topped with a green glass lily pad. An intricate three-dimensional glass flower springs from the pad. She called the piece ‘Crystalline Lily.?
The second was a necklace featuring a heart-shaped tiger’s-eye gemstone housed in a pendant Rathburg fashioned by wrapping sterling silver wire into various patterns. She named it ‘Tiger’s Passion.?
‘I’ve been interested in art since I was really little, since before I can remember,? Rathburg said.
Besides stained glass and wire jewelry, she also enjoys working with beads and silversmithing.
Rathburg plans to use the award money to further her education Grand Valley State University. There she plans to study art and possibly work toward becoming an elementary school art teacher.
‘I love little kids,? she said.