Governor Jim Justice recently announced the winners of the 2024 Almost Heaven Governor’s Art Exhibition. Two young Braxton County sisters captured first place in both the High School and Middle School Division. In addition, Emily Garrett’s image of Blackwater Falls was judged as “Best in Show”.
Designed to showcase student creativity and the arts, this year’s exhibition called for one-of-a-kind postcard designs illustrating star gazing at your favorite West Virginia park or public lands. Selected postcard artwork will be used by the Department of Tourism to personally invite travelers to Almost Heaven.
Awards were given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in three divisions: Elementary School, Middle School, and High School. Winners will receive Blick Art Materials gift cards in the amounts of $100, $50, and $25, respectively.
West Virginians can also view the winning artwork right outside the Governor’s Office at the State Capitol.
Emily Garret’s award-winning painting that captured 1st place in the High School Division and Best of Show was titled “Stargazing at Blackwater Falls”.
Her sister, a student at Braxton County Middle School, depicted “Camping at Tomlinson Run State Park” which took top honors in the Middle School Division.
The talented pair are the daughters of Chris and Yuki Garrett of Sutton.