The Sunshine Shop in Dayville was recently alive with more than just the fresh , hopeful blooms of spring . More than 70 pieces of art from Woodstock Academy students decorated the flower shop , as part of “ Art Speaks , ” a local art promotion hosted by shop owner Betty Merow and organized by framer Heather Nault , as a way of bringing student art to the forefront of the community .

The art was on display from March 10 – March 24 , and on March 24 a reception was held at The Sunshine Shop and votes were tallied up , small paper ballots awarding prizes and gift certificates to amazing youngartists . Those who stopped by to vote or were drawn in when visiting the shop were not faced with an easy decision . With many forms of media to choose from , some with beautiful messages about life , the talent in the small shop was breathtaking .

The Grand Prize , chosen by an art teacher outside of the school system , went to Sean Powers for his brilliant self portrait . First Prize was awarded to Mikayla Gagnon , Second Place to Hillary Kutschker for her piece on the power of words and the Third Prize winner was Hanna Dushaime .

Gagnon , a senior at the Academy , said she has been an artist all her life and plans to go to college to pursue her talent . “ It’s my big thing , ” she said . The mixed media piece was completed in the spring of 2009 and has won multiple awards including one at Woodstock Academy and one at the University of Hartford . With photos , prints , transfers , coloring and pressed flowers , the piece is a demonstration of many art forms , but is not Gagnon’s favorite . “ I can see the little flaws that no one else would notice , ” she explained .

Last month , students from the St . James School were featured at the store and , coming up , youngartists from Killingly Intermediate School , Putnam Middle School and Killingly High School will have their chance to see their work in the spotlight .

“ It’s about making their art more important to the community , ” Merow said , “ People are really getting to appreciate it . ”