Art appreciation group honors some of the district's best creative minds
The Acorn was on hand to photograph the winners of this year's Simi Valley Art Association scholarships during their awards ceremony held Saturday
Photos by Iris Smoot

TOP ARTIST- Melissa Perkinson, 17, of Simi Valley, receives her blue ribbon and $400 scholarship from Anne Cannata, president of the Simi Valley Art Association, during the association's scholarship awards ceremony on Saturday at the Ventura County Library in Simi Valley. "I've been painting and drawing for a long time, pretty much my whole life. I draw what I love, what's meaningful to me," said Perkinson, a senior at Royal High School. Cannata, who has been involved with the art association for seven years, will be retiring from the group soon; this awards ceremony was her last event as president. ATTENTION TO DETAIL- Above, Coral Anders, 17, a student at Royal High School, received third place and a $200 scholarship for her portfolio of paintings and sketches. Below, Royal student Cecelia Engelking, took home second prize and $300 for her creations.