Twenty-two students from New Century Middle School have their art masterpieces in a display entitled "Sincerest Flattery" at the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) until the beginning of October.

The art students at New Century Middle School were introduced by their art teacher, Cheryl Stuckey, to works in the art collections of North Carolina by watching a video tour and by visiting the NCMA Web site, as well as the MCS Webquest, Art Auction.

The students developed their powers of observation by studying NCMA masterpieces. They did this by downloading and printing a variety of artworks from the NCMA to study more closely in class.

The students learned to grid copies of their selected works before creating larger grids onto posters.

"Young artists have always learned invaluable lessons through the process of copying other works of art," said Stuckey. "Students 'read' the lines and shapes within each grid square, row by row, until the compositions were complete. These young artists mixed colors to match the original hues and strove to capture the style of the original work."

Students researched the NCMA masterpieces before presenting reports to the class along with their finished posters.

"The posters were exhibited throughout the school so that the entire student body could experience our visual heritage," Stuckey said.

The students' artwork was displayed on Stuckey's class Web site and noticed by Angela Faulk, NCMA Executive Director.

"It was happy serendipity to have someone view the student art work, and then to respond to the site in such a powerfully positive way," Stuckey said. "Within one week, Ms. Faulk drove down to Moore County from Raleigh, came by my room after school, and selected 22 student art history projects. I was thrilled that the students would have such an opportunity to display their work in such a prestigious location as the North Carolina Museum of Art!"

The exhibit is called "Sincerest Flattery" because the students studied masterpieces from the state art museum to create their works.

When the art is returned, it will be framed and placed on exhibit in the school. The students will be honored at a reception at New Century when their exhibit reopens.

Students whose artwork is on display are Skyler Jessee, Lillie Ring, Leslie Stevens, Mercedes Bracamonte, Kelly Clement, Caitlin Hill, Alexis Handy, Matthew McCaskill, Maren Ward, Jake Bufmeyer, Taylor Lambert, Melissa Glenn, Taylor Comte, Chris Harper, Samantha Jo Cain, Will McCoy, Joseph Gonzales, Cody Garner, M Sofia Bracamonte, Allie Beckman, Mia Lopez and Rebecca Laton.