Panther Valley School District has inaugurated a program to recognize aspiring artists.

During a meeting of the Panther Valley School Board on Thursday, the first "artist emeritus" was recognized.A drawing by sixth-grade student Alex Kessler was unveiled.Kessler, now a student at Panther Valley Middle School, was an elementary student in fifth grade when she drew the line drawing with a Native American theme.Elementary art teacher Gail Christopher Lazar unveiled the drawing to the school board.Lazar said the artist emeritus award was begun in memory of Alberta Ohl and Ella Evans, who were both art teachers at Panther Valley.Each year a student will be chosen.Kessler's drawing was professionally framed and will hang in the library of the elementary school.The work of each artist will be put on display in the elementary school, Lazar said.Kessler's parents, James and Tonya Kessler, were present for the unveiling.