With watercolors, pencil and clay they created some of their favorite subjects: themselves, their families and their favorite characters in books.

It was a winning sister act for Sara, 11, and Ingrid Ellington, nine. “I draw people in my family, so I do portraits of them,” said Sara who used colored pencil for her self-portrait that placed third. “I thought I had a talent to show. It’s a fun little thing to do,” added the West Salem Elementary fifth grader.

Ingrid’s self-portrait won first in her age group. She also created a small head of herself which smiles up at the painting. Their parents, Frank and Giovanna Ellington, were among the proud families.

More than 40 young artists’ work is displayed in the window gallery and on nearby shelves of the Glenvar Branch Library.

“I did a portrait of myself. Parts were hard to make. It took me a bunch of tries to make them,” explained Aiden Kirby, eight, whose mom, Melanie Kirby, is a page at the library.

First, second and third prizes were awarded in three categories up to age 18, but it was just the thrill of bringing their families to see their work displayed that was the most exciting for the young people.

Winners received watercolors, a stretched canvas and a pass to an Artful Journeys class.

On April 10, they were honored at a reception in the library, complete with live guitar music by Alex Faught of Salem, and finger foods – mozzarella string cheese was a particular favorite – and Goldfish crackers.

“I made a portrait of Camilla Creep from ‘The Bad Case of Stripes,’” explained Brooklyn Hemphill, seven, a first grader at Fort Lewis Elementary who is the daughter of Steve and Brenda Hemphill of Glenvar.

One of the youngest artists was Goldie Downs, 3 ½, who did a portrait of herself that won first place. “She used sparkly tape,” pointed out her dad, Andrew Downs.

Children’s Library Assistant Jessica Downs was as excited as her daughter and the other young artists. To help them get ready for the show, she offered a portrait class at the library in March. They didn’t have to participate in the class but many did, using art supplies the library offered.

Quinn Weatherford, 4-1/2, chose clay to create a portrait of “My Granny and My Nana” who inspire her, she said. Her figures earned second place in the youngest age group. Her grannies are Pat Weatherford of Pennsylvania and the late Jimmiel Johnston of Salem, and her parents are Ryan and Stephanie Weatherford of Salem.

“We have 44 entries,” Downs said. “The children and teens submitted portraits of themselves, their favorite storybook character or someone who inspired them.” Their creations will be on display in the children’s section through April.