Sure, teachers go the extra mile for their students, lining them up with career mentors, writing reference letters or just making sure a student knows he or she has talent.

Kris Dworek, who teaches art at Sharpsville Area High School, said she has dozens of students who deserve recognition for their work, outside of just having their peers pass by a show at the school.

So, Ms. Dworek set up an off-campus exhibition.

About 40 students will show their work Monday through Feb. 13 at the Vault Studio, Sharon.

"I think we have a very talented group of kids," Ms. Dworek said. "My kids all worked very hard. They all deserve a little time to show off."

Artist David Cannone, who works at the Vault and has held two shows there, bought into the idea quickly. He talked to students at school and lined up corporate backers, Shenango Home Equity, Hermitage, and Chestnut Street Cafe, Sharon, to sponsor awards for the best work.

"I never had an opportunity like this," said Cannone, adding that he recently did a photography project at his alma mater, Farrell Area High School, and would like to work with more schools. "I'd love to do something to get the kids exposure."

The works are mostly drawings and paintings of famous people, florals, abstracts, animals and cartoon characters.

Brittany Zoccole, a senior from Sharpsville, painted colorful oil and acrylic scenes, some of which look like they are a view of the inside of the human body.

"It's made up," she said, adding that her works arise from her feelings. "I don't think that life pictures should be repeated."

Brittany wants to study art after high school and has shown it to various art school representatives, including Carnegie Mellon University and the Cleveland Institute of Art.

The Vault show will be Brittany's first outside of school.

"It's great that people from the community get to see what we do in school, how many creative people there are," she said.

Travis Johnston said the thought of showing work publicly is "nerve-wracking."

"I don't know what people think of what I did," he said, adding that he appreciates the opportunity.

The Clark senior said it "feels kind of cool" to show with his classmates.

"I'd feel bad if it was just me because I'd be hogging the spotlight," he said. "Everybody's work is as good as mine, if not better."

Travis mostly draws and will show portraits of famous people whose pictures he saw in magazines.

Travis has applied to Edinboro University to study art education.

"Over the past couple of years, I've watched Mrs. D. and it looks like something I'd like to do," he said.

Cannone said he is impressed with the quantity of the work the students have produced, most of it in class, and the amount of time they put into it.

"The quality of work is excellent," he said.