Meet ‘Zuri.’

She’s the Intro of Ceramics piece put together by East Union High senior Alexis Evans.

“It took me three weeks to do but I took some time off when I got bored,” she said at Tuesday’s 2015 Manteca Unified School District ‘Best of the Best’ Student Art Show.

Evans had no problems making the face of the sculpture adorn with neck jewelry and head wear. It took her a few days to do the painting.

When all was said and done, Evans, who was already thrilled that ‘Zuri’ earned high honors at the school-wide art show, received the top overall award at the district level – MUSD Best of the Best Art Show, Best in Show 2015.

Her ceramic bust was tops among some 254 pieces picked from the various categories by students at the five comprehensive high schools – Manteca, Sierra, Lathrop, Weston Ranch, and East Union – and Calla High.

Each category had a ‘Best in the Art Show’ award. That’s the top piece among the 20 each in Intro to Art, Advanced Art, AP 2D Studio, AP 3D Studio, Graphics / Computer Design, 3D Art, Intro Photo, Advanced Photo, Intro Digital Photo, Advanced Digital Photo, Advanced Ceramics, and Intro to Ceramics.

Intro Video and Advanced Video had 12 entries apiece.

Evans’ ‘Zuri,’ in addition, received an MUSD Best of the Art Show, Best in Category award.

Kira Eadington, who is the district’s Art Coordinator, said that this event gets bigger and bigger each year.

“This is becoming more and more like a school competition (among the art departments),” she said. “I think it’s our equivalent to our high school sports teams competing in the Valley Oak League.”

Eadington added that the judges range from retired art teachers to members of the San Joaquin Potters Guild.

“They did a great job this year,” she said. “This may be their best ever (in judging).”