BOARDMAN — Throughout May, Boardman High School junior Gina Misel’s watercolor painting, “Lily Pond,” will be displayed in Gov. Mike DeWine’s office in Columbus. Misel’s work was among the top 5% of more than 8,000 pieces of high school artwork submitted to this year’s Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition.

Only 300 pieces of artwork were chosen for the exhibit on public display in late April at the Rhodes State Officer Tower in Columbus. Misel’s work was among fewer than 50 additional pieces chosen to be a part of the governor’s private “Cameo Show” in his offices.

According to a news release from Boardman High School, Misel’s piece was inspired by a photo she took on her phone while on vacation in North Carolina. She used it as a model for her watercolor painting.

Misel’s painting has won other local awards as well, earning first place at the Canfield Art Show and a Gold Key at the Scholastic Art Competition.

According to Boardman High School art teacher Amanda Bero, Misel worked around the clock on “Lily Pond.”

“I even took my watercolors to Florida on vacation to work on it,” Misel joked.

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