Talking Back
The Old Jail Art Center’s Junior Docents will host the opening reception and awards ceremony of the 14th annual Student Art Show, entitled Talking Back, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 9.
Around 250 submissions for the contest were created and entered by seventh to 12th grade students from local schools that participate in the OJAC school outreach program, Art-To-Go, including Moran, Anson, Throckmorton, Stamford, Wylie, and Abilene.
Talking Back is unique because the art work is both created and juried by teens, according to education director Erin Whitmore.
Last month the traveling art program focused on teaching Region 14 participants about the specific artists, media, and genres from five selected pieces out of the OJAC’s collection.
“These students explored five works of art from the museum’s permanent collection,” said Whitmore. “Then they chose one piece of the five to ‘talk back to’ by creating a response piece. The chosen and winning response pieces will be displayed in the Stasney Center for Education throughout the month of March next to the original collection piece from the museum.”
Entries for the show are currently being evaluated by the Old Jail’s Junior Docents and student interns, and the group of Albany teens are selecting from five to 10 students’ works to exhibit in each of the five response categories to display during the rest of March, which is designated as Student Art Month.
“Each spring, the museum’s Junior Docent Corps jury and curate the show, as well as organize for prizes and the exhibit opening reception,” said Whitmore. “With help from our education department staff, the Junior Docents consider various criteria as they critique each piece. This is one of the most important experiences in our Junior Docents program, as the students gain valuable visual and critical thinking skills.”
After considering the merits of each art work, the Junior Docents choose a Best in Category and Honorable Mention in each of the divisions, and then select one Best in Show.
Junior Docents this year are Sidney Bartee, Julia Bowman, Morgan Garner-Wood, Leddie Leech, Susie McCormack, Ella Webb, and Madison Wilkins.
The Junior Docents will present awards to the art show winners at 2:30 p.m. this Saturday during the opening reception. Artists selected for the top awards are given a certificate and prizes.
Everyone is welcome to attend the free event. Refreshments will be served.
