April brings out the best of Sierra County: birds court, desert flowers bloom, hummingbirds return from their wintering grounds, even the winds die down. But in the Foch Street offices of The Center Gallery Fine Art, there’s a different buzz. They’re gearing up for the second annual nonprofit Sierra County Student Art Show, in partnership with the Sierra County Arts Council. The two-day event, held at the Civic Center and open to the public, attracted hundreds of art lovers in 2022.
All students—traditional and homeschooled—from 6th through 12th grades are encouraged to submit original works of their own art. Last year’s show was so successful that 2023 is expected to see even more entries. At least $3,000 in scholarships were awarded, from gift cards to $500 and $1,000 scholarships, all donated by private individuals as well as businesses in Sierra County and Santa Fe. Winners may spend their awards on anything, including, of course, tuition.
Last year, out of the 70 submissions, 51 were selected to be part of the art show. All the art remains anonymous during judging to ensure partiality by the seven judges, who are professionals from the community. Each artist sets the price on his or her work—from a low of $15 to several hundred dollars. So, what do the winners do with their money? Many spent the money on art supplies. Two winners donated their money back to this year’s event. But it’s not all about money: one student, went from introverted and shy to becoming quite talkative and outgoing, difficult to measure in terms of money.
This year, to celebrate her 81st birthday, local artist Carolyn Cazares, whose art is on sale at The Center Gallery Fine Art, announced she’s retiring from painting and is donating the profits of her “Legacy Collection” to two of her favorite T or C causes: People Growing Together and the Student Art Show, also called Tiger Art. Her work went on sale in December 2022 and will continue until all is sold.
All student submissions are received by The Center Gallery, and displayed at the Civic Center, where they are judged and awarded prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the student’s grade level. In addition, a Best of Show scholarship is presented to a middle school and a high school student. Select students are invited to display and sell their artwork at the gallery in May 2023 for free. The Center Gallery does not collect commissions and instead encourages students to contribute 10 percent of their sales to the Student Art Show Project. The deadline for application is February 28, 2023; those who are selected will be notified by March 10. For an entry form go to TheCenterGallery.com; find them on Facebook: Tiger Art or the Center Gallery; or contact The Center at 505-428-8418 for details.
It’s a great opportunity to encourage up-and-coming artists and to support the arts in T or C. Save the date and mark your calendar for April 21 and 22, 2023—you don’t want to miss the second annual Sierra County Student Art Show.