Submitted PhotoSpectators look at various pieces of artwork from Lowndes Middle School students during a previous Youth Art Month opening reception. The 2019 reception is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts. 

VALDOSTA — As a focus on art education, Youth Art Month spotlights the works of students. 

An opening reception will be held 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, 527 N. Patterson St.

Teachers from the South Georgia and North Florida regions will submit hundreds of students’ artwork, which the teachers will install themselves.

Participating counties include Lowndes, Echols, Brooks, Lanier and Hamilton, Fla.

Cindy Lyons, art teacher at Lanier County Primary School and Lanier County Elementary School, has participated in Youth Art Month for more than 20 years.

She recalled her first year being involved with Youth Art Month in 1992. She said the show was held in a meeting room at the Valdosta-Lowndes Public Library on Woodrow Wilson Drive.

“This event is so important to me for many reasons,” she said. “Youth Art Month is an opportunity to recognize the value of art and art education for all children and to encourage the public support for quality school arts programs.”

Lanier County Schools will submit about 50 pieces, which will be exhibited as a “Sweet Art” project, where students drew and painted treats on canvases.

“Colorful cupcakes, ice cream cones, coke floats, snow cones and cakes are sure to make the viewers have sugar cravings,” Lyons said. “The students were so inspired to create their favorite flavored desserts complete with many delicious toppings.”

Heather Dorsey, art teacher at S.L. Mason Elementary School, has been involved with Youth Art Month for 15 years: two while at S.L. Mason, 11 while at Lowndes High School and two while at Dewar Elementary School.

Dorsey has previously worked behind the scenes of the exhibit when she was an art student at Valdosta State University.

“Many students that have their work on display have never been to an art gallery,” she said. “It is such a great experience to not only go to an art center, but to go to an art center and see their own work on display.

“I hope that it impacts them to continue to make art by giving them confidence and pride in what they can create.”

Bill Shenton, curator and artistic administrator for the Turner Center, agrees; the provides pride for the students.

“It gives them a point of pride in being able to point up on the wall and show their families their artwork,” he said.

A feature of Youth Art Month is the Invitational High School Art Exhibit, partnering the Turner Center with VSU to display pieces from high school students.

Shenton said students receive the chance to be educated and learn more information about the university’s programs and degrees.

VSU art faculty will judge the high school exhibit, and cash prizes will be given to the first-, second- and third-place winners.

Admission to the Youth Art Month reception is free. The Turner Center, 527 N. Patterson St., can be reached at (229) 247-2787 for more information. 

Amanda M. Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.