Award-winning student artwork on view at Asheville Art Museum

Exhibition on view through March 9
Award Ceremony: Sunday, February 23, 2:00 p.m., Diana Wortham Theatre

On view at the Asheville Art Museum through March 9 is an inspiring collection of artwork created by 7^th-12^th grade students who were recently awarded Regional Scholastic Art Awards. Visitors can view this impressive collection in the Museum’s Holden Community Gallery, which is free and open to the public. The Museum, with support from the Asheville Area Section of the American Institute of Architects, is a Regional Affiliate of the National Scholastic Art Awards. This ongoing community partnership has supported the creative talents of our region’s youth for 34 years. 

The WNC Regional Scholastic Art program is open to students in grades 7-12 across 20 counties. Artwork entries were submitted by students from the following schools: AC Reynolds High School, Ashe County High School, Asheville Christian Academy, Asheville High School, School of Inquiry & Life Science, Asheville Middle School, Balfour Education Center, Carolina Day School, Christ School, Erwin Middle School, East Burke Middle School, East Henderson High School, Evergreen Community Charter School, Freedom High School, Liberty Middle School, Madison High School, McDowell High School, Mitchell High School, North Buncombe High School, North Buncombe Middle School, Pisgah High School, Polk County Middle School, Patton High School, Smoky Mountain High School, Swain County High School, The Asheville School, Veritas Christian Academy and West Henderson High School. 

The regional program is adjudicated blindly in two groups: Group I: grades 7-8, and Group II: grades 9-12. The 2014 Regional Judges were Jennifer Cox Ford, Leigh Mitchell and Jimmy O’Neal. The judges carefully viewed each entry then selected Gold Key, Silver Key and Honorable Mention award recipients in a variety of media. 

Students who received a WNC Scholastic Art Award will be recognized in a ceremony on Sunday, February 23 at 2:00 pm in the Diana Wortham Theatre. Those works receiving Regional Gold Key Awards will be sent to compete in the 91^st Annual National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Program in New York City. Of the Gold Key Award recipients, five students have also been nominated for American Visions, indicating their work is the best of the regional awards. One of these American Visions nominees will receive an American Visions Medal at the 2014 National Scholastic Art Awards. National Medalists will be announced March 17.

The National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards has an impressive legacy dating back to 1923. Over the years, the Awards have grown to become the longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in the United States and the nation’s largest source of scholarships for creative young artists and writers. For more information about the awards program, visit www.artandwriting.org.