BIDDEFORD — Twenty-two Biddeford students, from kindergarten through fifth grade, will have their artwork displayed at the State House for the next year, as part of an initiative by the Maine Department of Education and the Maine Arts Commission to celebrate arts education in the state.

The Biddeford students were honored during a ceremony at the State House in Augusta Friday, along with students from AOS 92 in Kennebec County, AOS 93 in Lincoln County and MSAD 41 in Penobscot County, whose artwork will also be displayed for a year at the State House.

Kate Grant, an art teacher at Biddeford Intermediate School and John F. Kennedy Memorial School, and Concetta Dominico, an art teacher at Biddeford Primary School, led the school district’s efforts in submitting student artwork to the Arts Commission, Superintendent Jeremy Ray, who attended the ceremony, said Friday.

“It was pretty exciting for those young kids,” he said. “I’m very proud of them.”

Friday’s ceremony included performances by the Waterville High School Select Choir and Jazz Band, as well as remarks from Executive Director of the Maine Arts Commission Julia Richard, Acting Commissioner of Education Bill Beardsley and First Lady of Maine Ann LePage.

Ray said Biddeford students have in the past had their artwork displayed at the State House, but this is the first year there has been a ceremony there to honor the students, and more Biddeford students than ever were chosen this year. The students’ work varied from drawings of animals and scenes of nature to more abstract pieces, according to an email from Anne Gabbianelli, director of communications for the Department of Education.

For example, fifth-grade student Joshua Bradeen drew a sunset with birch trees, while third-grader Amanda Cox drew what she called a “cat rainbow,” said Gabbianelli.

The students were proud of their work and thrilled to have it displayed inside the state capitol, according to Gabbianelli.

“I was amazed when I heard my picture was hanging on the wall,” said Bradeen.

“When I was making this picture I didn’t know it would be so beautiful,” said fourth-grader Jacenda Ouch. “I’ve never painted a picture like this before.”

Biddeford students whose work is displayed at the State House include: JFK Memorial School students Calvin Daly, Lorenzo Federico, Lola Laverrier, Colton Sirois, Logen Strout and Allyson Weeks; Biddeford Primary School students Cullen Behen, Micayla Budd, Amanda Cox, Zoe Diffin, Jack Marquis, Cotton Schlaver and Jeniece Wilder; and Biddeford Intermediate School students Ashley Baumgardner, Abigail Binette, Joshua Bradeen, Lily Brassley, Tyanna Caron, Abigail Nadeau, Jacenda Ouch, Isabella Velez and Emma Velez.

— Staff Writer Angelo J. Verzoni can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or [email protected].