A new art exhibition at University of Lynchburg shines a spotlight on excellent high school artists in Central Virginia.
The show includes 53 works of art from students at eight regional high schools. The art includes images of animals, people, cityscapes, landscapes, and more, in media including sculpture, oil on plexiglass, and encaustic. The artists will meet on February 15 for a public reception at 6 p.m. and an awards ceremony in the Lobby Gallery of the Dillard Fine Arts Center.
“Inviting young artists to participate in an art show on the Lynchburg campus is a great way to help them make lasting connections,” said Ursula Bryant, chair of the University of Lynchburg Art Department. “We are honored to showcase these students’ excellent achievements in art.”
Art professors proposed the idea and invited teachers at local high schools to nominate some of their students’ best work to be displayed on campus. The exhibition opened Monday and will be open until the reception and awards ceremony on February 15.
Bryant said the reception will allow the high school artists to network with their peers as well as other members of the local art community. “This show provides a collaborative experience for these artist and their teachers to see what type of work is being done by their peers in the region,” she said. “We look at this exhibition not only as a celebration of art excellence and achievement, but as an opportunity to network with future art makers and bring the local community together through the eyes of young artist.”
The art exemplifies many unique art forms being practiced in local high schools as well as the quality of work being made in local classrooms, she said. “Exhibiting your work as an artist takes confidence and these young artists, their teachers, and their families should be proud of this accomplishment.”
The exhibition is one of several ways that Lynchburg rewards young artists. The College also offers Visual and Performance Art scholarships to high school students who excel in any arts that are taught at Lynchburg — including visual art, music, and theatre. The scholarships range from $1,000 to $3,000 and are in addition to all other financial aid, said Sharon Walters-Bower, director of admissions.
Although the scholarships do not require the students to major in the art when they arrive at Lynchburg, many students get involved in the arts while on campus. “These students have participated for years in the visual or performing arts. To give them the opportunity to continue to do that in college is wonderful for them, and it contributes greatly to the campus community,” Walters-Bower said. “The students benefit, as does the campus community. It’s another opportunity to recognize the talents students bring with them to Lynchburg.”
The Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship competition requires an on-campus audition. Students can schedule the audition to coincide with another trip to campus, including a campus tour, open house, or one of the invitation-only academic scholarship competitions.
For more information about the Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship Competition, contact Admissions Counselor Alexandra Cash at cash_ae@lynchburg.edu.
Teachers who coordinated on the exhibition and nominated student work include Lauren Harris of Altavista Combined School, Mary Ellen Barron of Amherst County High School, Meghan Bolling of Brookville High School, Linda Harding of E. C. Glass High School, Jon Roark of Heritage High School, Jennifer Tonkins of Jefferson Forest High School, Jessica Thompson of Virginia Episcopal School, and Lauren Harris of William Campbell Combined School.
