By Ed Simmons, Jr.
cpreporter@lcs.net
Six hands reach heavenward, enveloped in smoke, in a dramatic and inspiring charcoal composition called "Hope of the Wronged" by Caroline High School junior Chandler Thomas who won first place in the 2010 Tolerance and Holocaust Visual Arts Competition hosted by the Virginia Holocaust Museum.
"It symbolizes what Holocaust survivors went through," Chandler said, the smoke partially representing the gas chambers. She and her family were invited to the Holocaust Remembrance Day Dinner at the museum April 10 where she was introduced on stage. She won $150 in prize money.
Chandler is an Advanced Placement Art student, taught by Anne Pontius who told her students about the contest. "Ten entered and Chandler won!" she said.
More artwork by Chandler and other Caroline student artists, from primary to high school, will be on display at the high school this Friday for the annual Caroline Art Show from 5 to 7 p.m. Each year it's a big well-attended event, the halls and library luminous with art.