Armory Art Center proudly presents 2021 Palm Beach and Martin Counties Regional Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition of exciting, exemplary artist works on display Feb. 3 – Feb. Feb. 19
January 27, 2021 – West Palm Beach, Fla. – The Armory Art Center is honored to present once again, the 2021 Palm Beach and Martin Counties Regional Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition, opening Wednesday, February 3rd with diverse works on display until Friday, Feb. 19, in the Armory Art Center’s Montgomery Hall, 811 Park Place, in West Palm Beach. Admission and parking are free.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the anticipated annual regional award ceremony will take place virtually on YouTube on Saturday, February 13th from 1:30 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. Information about how to access the Virtual Award Ceremony will be available Feb. 9 via: https://www.artandwriting.org/affiliate/FL005A/
This year, students from schools in Palm Beach and Martin counties will be recognized in competitive categories of Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention. Additionally, five works, from all categories and grades, selected from those earning Gold Keys as the “Best-of-Show” for each local program are presented as nominees for the national designation of American Visions & Voices Medals.
“We are so honored once again, to serve as the premiere regional art venue to showcase these exemplary works by students who entered the competition for the chance to earn scholarship awards on the national level and to be featured in this annual exhibition,” said Dr. Tom Pearson, CEO of the Armory Art Center.
Students from schools in Palm Beach and Martin Counties were invited to compete from September to December 2020. More than 1600 individual works and 45 high school senior portfolioswere submitted for consideration. Adjudicators were comprised of a diverse, multi-generational panel of local school art teachers, teaching artists, retired art teachers, and local, regional and out-of-state artists. Works were juried on criteria that meets the national standards and consensus in varying panels.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. The Alliance partners with more than 100 visual arts organizations across the country, including the Armory Art Center, to bring the Scholastic Awards contest opportunity to local communities. The awards are the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens.
What happens to winning entries?
Those receiving a Regional Gold Key will be juried at National Scholastics Art and Writing. Nationally the submissions are juried by luminaries, some of whom are past award recipients. Panelists look for works that best exemplify originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. Gold Key works are currently being reviewed at the national level by a panel of creative–industry experts to receive national medals. National medalists are recognized at a ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The regional and national recognition is noted by colleges, universities, and art schools around the country. There are significant scholarship awards at the National Scholastic Arts Competition.
National Awards will be announced on March 17, 2021 at artandwriting.org
Since 1923, the awards have recognized some of America’s most celebrated artists and writers while they were teenagers including: Andy Warhol, Richard Avedon, Kay WalkingStick, Idelle Weber, Lena Dunham, Zac Posen, Ezra Jack Keats, and Paul Chan. Students from Palm Beach and Martin Counties are counted among these esteemed Scholastic Awards alumni.
More about the Regional Awards:
• Gold Keys are the highest-level works submitted to local programs. Gold Key works are automatically considered for national-level recognition.
• Silver Keys are stand-out works submitted to local programs that demonstrate exceptional ability.
• Honorable Mentions are accomplished works submitted to local programs showing great skill and potential.
• American Visions & Voices Nominees are five works, from across all categories and grades, selected from those earning Gold Keys as the “Best-of-Show” for each local program.
• The 2021 Palm Beach and Martin Counties Regional Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition will display the works granted Gold Key, Silver Key, and American Visions honors.
For a complete list of winners, visit the Scholastic regional microsite, https://www.artandwriting.org/affiliate/FL005A/
About the Armory Art Center:
The Armory Art Center’s art school and galleries provide creative opportunities to enhance your life. The Armory has served the community for over 30 years. The mission of the Armory Art Center is to inspire the creation and experience of art and the Armory’s vision is to be the leading community resource for arts education. Serving over 3,000 students annually, the Armory Art Center offers 160 courses per term in six terms throughout the year to students ranging in age from pre-school to retiree. Classes in drawing, painting, photography, jewelry, fiber & textiles, ceramics, and sculpture are held in 12 state-of–the-art studios. Twelve exhibitions are hosted annually in three galleries. Exhibitions, lectures, and special events are open to the public. For more information, visit www.armoryart.org or call (561) 832-1776. The Armory Art Center is located at 811 Park Place, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.