The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, which is currently under construction in Little Rock’s MacArthur Park, has announced its presentation of an online exhibition. The exhibition will showcase student artwork in the 61st Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition. Student artists from kindergarten through grade 12 have works on display on the AMFA website, with a total of 65 works presented. 

 

As the most competitive and diverse student exhibition, a total of 402 works were submitted for consideration, representing 22 cities and 81 different schools across Arkansas. Student artwork was submitted by teacher’s on their students behalf, and the exhibition showcases five works from each grade. Special awards were given to 41 of those works. 

 

“We are excited to see that this historical program continues to support art in education and highlights the amazing work of Arkansas students and teachers,” Chris Revelle, AMFA’s Director of Community Engagement, said.  “Art education is an essential part of development that supports creativity and innovation.”

 

Assistant professor and the Coordinator of Art Education at University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Emily Jean Hood, serves as this year’s guest juror. Selecting one best-in-class and two honorable mentions for each grade, Hood also selected a winner of the Mid-Southern Watercolorists Award for Achievement in Watercolor as well as the Ray Smenner Award for Achievement in Painting. 

 

“Clay, pencil, paper, watercolor, charcoal, pastel – there is so much variety in the materials these young artists used to express themselves,” Hood said. “It was a joy to judge their work and celebrate their endless creativity.” To view the 61st Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition, click here. The awards of this year’s exhibition are partially supported by Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Mid-Southern Watercolorists. 

 

“Until we can once again welcome all to experience an in-person exhibition in our new building, we love how impactful and accessible the virtual exhibition will be – not only for these incredible student artists, their teachers, and their families, but for our community of support across Arkansas,” Revelle said.

 

According to the AMFA website, construction at the AMFA home, located at 501 East Ninth Street, is currently underway and slated to be completed this year, with the museum scheduled to open to the public this Autumn. The project is designed by Studio Gang in a collaborative effort with Polk Stanley Wilcox and SCAPE

 

Delta Voices: Artists of the Mid-South is also currently available to experience online and consists of a podcast and video series that highlights emerging artists. The Bradbury Art Museum at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro is also currently hosting 15 large-scale sculptural works in Height x Width x Depth from the AMFA Foundation Collection while AMFA is under construction.

 

Image Courtesy of AMFA: Artist: Jack M., Little Rock, Title: Spring Dragonflies, acrylic paint, paint sticks, and Sharpie marker, 24 x 36 in., (61st Young Arkansas Artists.)

 

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