Southeast Whitfield Student Wins Art Award
Monday, January 14, 2013
Art by Southeast Whitfield student Olivia Brewer will be among the highlights of “Art from Georgia Schools,” an exhibition on display at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega until Jan. 25.
31em; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); line-height: 1.31em; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.14em; word-wrap: break-word;">Ms. Brewer earned 1st Place for her piece, titled “The Cottage,” which brings two additional bonuses: a $100 prize and she will sell her painting as a result of the show. The University of North Georgia will share the annual exhibition “Art from Georgia Schools” at the university’s Price Memorial Hall gallery. The public display showcases two-dimensional art by regional artist-educators and their students.
The exhibition is meant to celebrate the mission art teachers fulfill on a daily basis and their special role in the development of their student’s talent.
These educators are on the front lines, defenders of art in a day and age when this basic human drive for expression is targeted by budget cuts. They know that art is not superfluous, but a key to helping open students minds to almost every other subject. From history and religion, to science to mathematics, art can make these pursuits alive and vibrant, real and tangible; something it has done from it humblest beginnings.
The juror for this exhibition was Atlanta artist Polly Neal. She began her artistic studies at Henderson State Teacher’s College in Arkansas. Later, after moving to Atlanta, she studied privately with Atlanta artist Ouida Canaday who became a major influence of her artistic practices.
In the 1980s, Ms. Neal majored in Studio Art at Georgia State University. Ms. Neal has an extensive exhibition record, showing both nationally and internationally and has juried many exhibitions. She has won countless awards and grants, illustrated books, and executed many private and public murals. In addition to her visual arts experience she is a poet, a writer, and president of The Atlanta Writers Club in the late 1990’s.
Ms. Neal selected the 35 works that comprise the exhibition, four of which were given special awards of distinction. The award winners are:
- 1st Place Student
Olivia Brewer, The Cottage,
Southeast Whitfield High School
- 1st Place Educator
Kevin Whitley, A Class of Their Own,
Forsyth Central High School
- Honorable Mention Student
Savannah Reddish, The Last Feast,
East Jackson Comprehensive High
- Honorable Mention Educator
Paul Vogt, The Dilemma,
Woodward Academy Middle School