Students awarded at State Capitol for art projects | Arts & Culture

On April 27, ninety-six students across Alabama will be awarded for their creativity as visual artists at the State Capitol.

Their work traveled to Montgomery to be exhibited at the Alabama Artists Gallery, from April 1-27, and every student who placed in the state exhibition will receive a Blue Ribbon Award. Awards will also be given for Best of District, Best of each category, and Best of Show.

This year’s Best of Show will go to Ashley Irelan for her Self Portrait. Ashley is a 10th grader, studying with Kimberly Huffstetler at Grissom High School in Huntsville.

In addition to exhibitions, the program involves a portfolio competition for senior students. The portfolios are adjudicated by professional artists and professors from the art departments of partnering institutions. Five students from the portfolio competition are selected, and receive a $1,000 scholarship if the student chooses to attend the partnering institution. 

Among four other students, Spencer Laws from Decatur High School was selected as a 2012 winner for his portfolio.

Now in its twenty-sixth year, The Visual Arts Achievement Program was designed to provide local and state recognition for quality visual arts programs in both public and private school systems.