Art up your Sleeve

The University of Memphis will play a role in distributing more than $250,000 in scholarships and cash prizes to local high school students in the Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards.

An exhibition of student-submitted work will showcase at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art from Saturday to Feb. 12.

"The University of Memphis has been involved with us for at least ten years, possibly longer," said Kathy Dumlao, director of the Associate Center of Education at Brooks. "Every year we have one judge from The University of Memphis that works with us and participates on a panel with other judges."

The Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards is an annual student art exhibition held in partnership by the Brooks Museum League and the museum. Local students in 7th through 12th grades are recognized for achievements in painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and sculpting.

The artwork features poetry and paintings such as  "The Pretender" by Teresa Holly, 18, in which a man is seen wearing a mask while holding his actual face beside it. Another selection by Audrey Gair, 17, titled "Backpack," features a girl sleeping in a suitcase.

"The University of Memphis provides scholarships to students who provide portfolios," Dumlao said.

There are 42 Mid-South schools represented in the exhibit. More than 200 gold and silver key winners were chosen in fifteen categories. A total of 1,400 students submitted their work and 90 senior portfolios were uploaded digitally. 

"This is our 47th year being involved with the Mid-Scholastic Awards," said Andria Leslie, public relations manager for the museum.

The Brooks Museum, which turned 95 this year, is the oldest fine arts museum in Tennessee and works in tandem with local high school teachers to put together the exhibit.

"The artists get their work exhibited through their art teachers. The teachers select the best students and submit them digitally," Leslie said.

University of Memphis students can visit the exhibit free of cost. Tickets can be picked up at Brooks Museum's admissions desk, located at 1934 Poplar Ave.