I was surfing our blog links and came across an image I found from the 32nd Annual Student Art Show, on the blog Art Dispatch – the Voice of the Jacksonville Council for the Arts… Dispatching art news, events, and info to artists and art lovers in Jacksonville, NC, and Eastern North Carolina. The exhibit is on view through Mar. 26, 2010, at the Council for the Arts gallery in Jacksonville, NC, featuring selected works by junior high and high school students.
It said on the blog that this is the only county-wide (that’s Onslow County, NC) art contest available to all middle school and high school students. Art departments of every school: public, private, home-schooled and base (Jacksonville is a military community) were invited to select and enter 8 pieces of student work. This annual show is noted for its originality, colorfulness and innovation- an eye into the soul of a young artist. Many of the students have their work selected each year, so we are able to follow their developing talent. Pat Boni, was this year’s judge, she has a masters in Art Education and taught in Onslow County for 15 years.
I found this image by Mollie (Abbey*) Pittman, from KCE Art School. It was on the link for the Wall of Winners… Annual Student Art competition showcased at the Arts Council.
Cat-a-Lisa, by Mollie (Abbey*) Pittman,
from from KCE Art School – Merit Award
To me, it’s hard to imagine where Pittman will be after school – if she sticks with art or is diverted to some other interest – boys, politics, business – whatever. But a lot of gifted students in school don’t always follow through on a career in art and can you blame them? It’s not like this country rewards artists like they do other professions or treats them like sports or entertainment idols.
Maybe this art exhibit at the local arts council gallery is the event where Mollie (Abbey*) decides to be an artist. Maybe not – who knows, but artists who have already made that decision years ago are not getting the love from their communities during these hard times. It seems the arts are one of the first things cut when budgets are being trimmed – at school districts, at newspapers, at city and county councils and at the state government level. And, unfortunately in many average people’s minds – as they are attending less art performances and buying less fine art.
Hopefully America’s love affair with the arts will return sometime. I hope it’s soon. And, maybe Mollie Pittman will become the next Jasper John, director of the MOMA, head of the National Endowment for the Arts, that starts putting more money into the arts. Who knows?
But for now, I hope she’s enjoying being in this exhibit and her Merit Award for her fine work of art.
* The reason I’ve added the name (Abbey) behind Mollie – it was listed both ways on the blog.
