The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts will host the art work of students from approximately 50 regional schools in the Youth Art Month exhibition, opening on Sunday, March 1, from 2-4 p.m.

In conjunction with the National Art Education Association and the Council for Art Education, Youth Art Month celebrates a national recognition of youth art education. This exhibit allows art teachers across the region, as far north as Macon, Ga., the opportunity to select outstanding student art to be showcased in the Turner Center galleries for the month of March.

“I am a co-sponsor for National Art Honor Society at Lowndes High School. My students, my co-worker and I have participated in Youth Art Month for the past three years,” said Daisy Taylor, Art Educator at Lowndes High School. “Sherry Bennett and I select 10 students each to showcase their strongest artwork they have made in our classes.”

Taylor said it is important for students to be involved in Youth Art Month because the Regional High School Art Competition features the top artwork of local students and their creativity and skill in art-making. 

“It is a wonderful feeling for students to see their artwork on display in an art gallery and to have the opportunity to be awarded for their hard work,” said Taylor.

The exhibition is broken down into three parts: Kindergarten through eighth grade; high school, which is juried and includes cash prizes awarded by a panel of Valdosta State University art faculty members; and an invitation design competition wherein the winner’s artwork will be used as the cover image for the Turner Center’s Spring Into Art invitation.