Local high school students will showcase their creative works and compete for a scholarship during the third annual Libby Allen High School Art Contest.
Overton County Arts Council representative Tim Richardson said the upcoming exhibition features two distinct educational awards, including one selected directly by a Tennessee Tech art professor. Richardson said the event also serves as a memorial reception honoring a former local art teacher.
“And we did that because we wanted to give these local high school kids an opportunity to showcase their talent and to incentivize them to keep creating art and to consider creating art at the next level as they pursue their higher education,” Richardson said.
Richardson said the Tennessee Tech School of Art and Craft and Design scholarship is awarded to an Overton County junior or senior participating in the contest.
Tennessee Tech art education professor Jeremy Blair personally reviews the April 13 submissions to select a winner based on his experience as an educator and working artist. A separate scholarship honoring Mick Gray Barnes is awarded to a Livingston Academy senior planning to study visual arts or music in college.
“The kids have responded wonderfully well and they’re excited about the opportunity and the community comes out and gets a chance to see the work being done by these kids and show them the support that they deserve,” Richardson said.
Richardson said students submit pieces across several categories, including paintings, pen and ink, pencil drawings, collages, and three-dimensional works. The artwork is displayed throughout the downtown Livingston library to provide a central, high-traffic location for the public to access the exhibition.
“So it’s a good way to honor Mick, who was an art teacher herself, and to honor the young people who are sort of carrying on her legacy in the community today,” Richardson said.
Richardson said Barnes was a beloved teacher in the Overton County area from 2001 until she succumbed to a terminal illness in 2014. The event marks the 10th anniversary of her passing and will feature an exhibition of 10 to 12 original works created by Barnes, which were donated back for the display by owners throughout the state.
“I really appreciate the opportunity to talk about these wonderful events and we encourage everybody to come out and support the kids, but also to show your respects and your admiration for Mick Gray Barnes herself,” Richardson said.
The reception and award ceremony will take place on Sunday, April 19, featuring cash prizes for the winning student artists.