From left, Gregory Harris of Kinston, Kaeson Johnson of Kinston, and Jason Bowden of Swansboro recently won awards from the Printing Industry of the Carolinas. Submitted photo

Three Lenoir Community College Graphic Arts and Imaging Technology (GAIT)  students recently won several PICA Awards, including four first place Best of Category awards.

PICA, the Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Inc., recently held a printing competition for high school and college graphic arts students. The event offered recognition in various categories. Several LCC graphics students submitted entries and the results were announced in January.

Jason Bowden of Swansboro won first place Best of Category Award — Digital Printing: Inkjet Flexible and second place Special Judges Award — Screen Printing: 1 Color, Textile. Bowden graduated from high school in Swansboro and is in his second year in the GAIT program. He plans to graduate in May and pursue a career in graphic design. 

Kaeson Johnson of Kinston won first place Best of Category Award — Screen Printing: 1 Color, Textile, second place Special Judges Award — ThermoFlex: Heat Transfer Vinyl Flexible; third place Award of Excellence — Digital Printing: Ink Jet Rigid. Johnson graduated from North Lenoir High School in 2016 and is in his second year in the GAIT program. He plans to pursue a career in animation upon graduation in May.

Gregory Harris of Kinston won first place Best of Category — Digital Printing: Toner and first place Best of Category — ThermoFlex: Heat Transfer Vinyl Flexible. Harris works as freelance graphic designer and is in his second year in the GAIT program. He plans to continue to work as a freelance designer upon graduation in May.

LCC students competed against other two-year and four-year college students from North and South Carolina, including Appalachian State University, Clemson University and Chowan University. 

The GAIT program is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the printing, publishing, packaging and related industries. Students receive hands-on training in all phases of graphic arts including graphic design, computer graphics, web design, digital photography and printing technologies.

The GAIT curriculum is a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree program and offers day, online and hybrid classes. To learn more about the Graphic Arts and Imaging Technology program, or if you have any questions, contact Dwight Downie at (252) 527-6223, ext. 604 or email ddownie@lenoircc.edu.