Art is a form of expression — whether it be through paintings, architecture or even dressmaking. Every day, students create pieces that reflect their identities and perspectives. One of the many programs that are available to young artists is the Scholastic Art Exhibition, held at the Brooks Museum, showcasing hundreds of student works from all across Tennessee. The program offers cash prizes to winners and provides students with the opportunity to share their work with a larger audience. The event can be enjoyed not only by the artists and the crowd but also by those who help bring it to life.
“I get to see art coming from our community, and it’s created from young people,” Ali Bush, Mid-South Scholastic Art Exhibition worker, said. “Seeing students win and how happy it makes their teachers and their parents and seeing everyone come together to celebrate young artists’ achievements is one of the best parts of my job.”
For many, art serves as an escape from daily pressures, a moment to step away from the chaos and enjoy time to themselves. It can sometimes feel impossible for students to craft their next piece,, especially when balancing Advanced Placement courses and extracurricular activities. However it can be beneficial for students to prioritize time for their hobbies.
“Art is like a way to express my feelings,” Anson Yan (10) said. “It takes up a lot of time, but I think it’s very necessary. It’s like taking a deep breath and collecting my thoughts.”
While creating art can be time-consuming, it can improve mental health. For some, it is a way of putting themselves out there without having to face emotions head on.
“It’s sort of like therapy to me,” Kayla Lam (9) said. “Everybody needs to express themselves, and I find expressing myself through art [as] the most beautiful and the easiest way for me.”
Something that many artists may fear is the uncertainty of a career path that follows. Some people believe that self-expressive paths tend to have a less stable and unknown road ahead of them. Programs like the Scholastics Art Exhibition can provide opportunities that help students take the next steps toward a future in the arts.
“We partnered with Christian Brothers [University] and the University of Memphis (UofM), and they often offer full ride scholarships [for artists],” Bush said. “Depending on the year, UofM offers up to four or five, and Christian Brothers offers up to nine, so it’s super impactful for students looking to pursue art.”
For some students, the fear of judgment and negative feedback on their work can stand as a barrier. This fear can be even more present when a student’s work is attached to them and their culture. This kind of influence can shape not only the themes of their work but also the materials they use.
“I have my self portrait with me in my áo dài, which is traditional Vietnamese attire,” Lam said. “It’s connected to my ethnicity and how I express myself in my own way, because I feel very connected to water, which is why I really like watercolor.”
Art often carries personal stories, and teachers who work closely with students see the significance behind their pieces. In that way, teachers can be a great source to understand how young artists have grown, what they are going through and what is important to them.
“Teachers really know kids’ circumstances and their family circumstances,” Bush said. “They can give input on how the student works because they are in the room as these pieces are being made.”
As for the Scholastic Art Exhibition, it can be very competitive. When artwork is deeply personal, competition can feel overwhelming and toxic at times, but the program aims to recognize young artists and provide opportunities that can allow students to continue their journey of creating new pieces.
“You never know if you’re going to win or not,” Bush said. “And even if you don’t win, that doesn’t mean that your art isn’t valuable … you should keep going.”
