Held every March, Youth Art Month is a month-long celebration of student artists in which WMA partners with elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the Wiregrass region to display student artwork in the museum. The exhibition is open to PK-12th grade students from public, private, and home schools in the region, and emphasizes the value of art and art education for all children and encourages the public to support quality school art programs.

This year saw over 600 submissions with 177 artworks being accepted into the exhibition! Opening night on March 3 saw 600 people out to support the talented artists whose work will hang at WMA through March 28, 2020. Seeing families, friends, and teachers sharing the night alongside pointing, smiling students is a wonderful thing. Eager to find their art on the wall, children excitedly bob and weave until they come see it on the wall or pedestal.

All accepted students were eligible for numerous awards recognizing outstanding artistic achievements. Elementary (K-5) and Middle (6-8) grade students’ works are eligible for the Wiregrass Museum of Art Award. High School (9 – 12) students’ works are eligible for the following awards: Wiregrass Museum of Art Award, hung at WMA; Youth Art Month Award, hung at Dothan Pediatric Dentistry’s (Dr. John Flowers and Dr. Kristen Crowder) office, Houston County Award, hung in the County Commission Building, City of Dothan Award, hung in the Mayor’s Office; and the 2nd Congressional Art Competition Award, hung in the Senate Corridor in Washington D.C.

All awarded artwork will be displayed at the designated location for one year, from March 2020 through March 2021. All art award winners will receive a $50 check and will receive recognition during a Dothan City Commission meeting held in early March 2020.

This year’s winners are:

Wiregrass Museum of Art Award

• Elementary School: Katalina Hernandez, 2nd grade, Hidden Lake Elementary
• Middle School: Sarah Hall, 7th grade, Ridgecrest Christian School
• High School: Ethan Edwards, 12th grade, Ridgecrest Christian School

City of Dothan Award

• Cooper Lee, 11th grade, Houston Academy

Houston County Award

• Collin Crowder, 11th grade, Rehobeth High School

Youth Art Month Award

• Mia Smith, 10th grade, Enterprise High School

2nd Congressional Award

• Abby Baird, 11th grade, The Montgomery Academy

After the awards ceremony, I had the opportunity to chat with some of our winners who wanted to share their love of art with you!