Three Howell HS artists finalists in downtown art exhibit

Two Howell High School students and one 2012 graduate are K-12 finalists in the first ever Howell Arts Initiative Project taking place in downtown Howell through June 22.

Gabrielle Montesanti, 2012 graduate and a blogger for The Livingston Post, and Amy Aubert and Tyler Shepard, who will be seniors in the fall at Howell High School, have art work in the show and were recently voted as finalists in the contest to win $1,000.

The aim of the Public Arts Initiative Project is to turn downtown Howell into a free outdoor museum. Categories include open artwork, photography, seascape and landscape, people, masterpiece-inspired art and K-12 artwork. Visitors can choose the best of the best by using their phones to text their vote.  A finalist in each category will be chosen by popular text vote. The seven category winners will have their artwork reproduced and displayed in downtown Howell.

Art locations include the Howell DDA office, 122 State St.; Bead Gallery 2; Cleary’s; Carriage House; Howell Carnegie District Library; Heart of Michigan; Moe’s BarBar Shop; and Skincognito.

The Best in Show winner chosen from the finalists will receive a cash prize of $1,000. The finalists’ original artwork will be available for auction at the Howell Melon Ball on Aug. 16.