Young artists highlighted in Hylton art exhibit

For the second year in a row, select elementary, middle and high school students from Prince William County schools will have their works displayed in the Buchanan Partners Art Gallery at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in an exhibit through March 4.

Some students will discuss their works during a reception and gallery talk at noon Sunday.

Only 23 pieces were selected from the county’s 88 schools. Twenty of the works are represented through 2-D pieces, painting, drawings, mixed media and photography, along with three sculpture pieces created by Forest Park High School seniors who are part of the school’s AP sculpture studio.

“We have everything from pencil drawing to collages and sculpture made from recycled books,” said Briton Camphouse, gallery coordinator for the Buchanan Partners Arts Gallery. “Along with the array of medium, the matting of the images is unique in that some actually outline the figures in the artwork.”

Camphouse was tasked with displaying the art, and she elected to group the works by style, color and medium, rather than by grades, in an attempt to show the artists’ talent regardless of age.

The event’s growth has contributed to a larger outpouring of interest throughout the schools’ art programs.

“This year, we had a larger number of pieces submitted for screening,” said Debbie Barnard, Administrative Coordinator for the Arts, Office of the Arts, Prince William County Schools. “We asked each teacher to select one piece from their school. Middle and high schools could select two pieces. We then brought in two retired art teachers as judicators and screened and selected the final pieces. So there was a process involved.”

The artists range from first grade to 12th, which, according to Barnard, shows the extent of talent and growth through the program.

Camphouse said the works are simply amazing.

“The creativity, imagination and technical skill of the students are exceptional and it is a wonderful reflection of the talented art teachers in Prince William County and Virginia,” she said.

The works come from all ends of the spectrum.

“Some are thought provoking while others simply make you smile,” Camphouse said. “There have been amazing artists to show here at the Buchanan Partners Gallery thus far, but the artwork of the Prince William schools reminds us that art truly speaks to people of all ages and backgrounds.”

The gallery talk is a new element of the event this year, something Barnard said brings the audience closer to the students while allowing the artists to explain their creative processes.

“It’s a way for students to learn about literacy and the language of the art form,” she said. “They use it to speak about work processes, the inspiration behind the work, and their reflections and evaluations about the work. It will offer real reflections through the voices of the students.”

And, Barnard said, the excitement is shared between each of the artists.

“Last year, I don’t know who was more excited – the youngest child or the oldest child and their families,” she said. “They were just beaming with excitement to have their work there. The value of this exhibit is seeing the final outcome of the process.”

Staff writer Tamika Matthews can be reached at 703-530-3909.