Showcase of Excellence puts the spotlight on local arts education

Published 11:35 am Friday, April 21, 2017

“Education teaches you to write your name; arts education gives you your signature.”

A core belief of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Partners in Education program, this quote is put into practice by Tryon Fine Arts Center’s Showcase of Excellence.

Showcase of Excellence will be held on Sunday, April 23 at 4 p.m. The reception and live and silent auction is the culmination of a unique competition for high schoolers in upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina. Art teachers submit students’ work in six medium categories to be professionally juried and exhibited at TFAC. Prizes are awarded to the top student artists and their teachers.

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In addition to benefitting participants, Showcase of Excellence supports educators around the region as a fundraiser for TFAC’s Be Inspired Grants (BIG) program. BIG provides funds for arts immersion projects in the classroom. These projects would otherwise come out of teachers own pockets, and help bring the arts alive and deepen the educational experience for a diverse range of students each year.

“As a Kennedy Center partner, education is at the forefront of what we do,” said Marianne Carruth, executive director of TFAC. “Showcase of Excellence allows us to support both young student artists and the teachers who make arts in education possible.”

Forty-three students submitted work in painting, photography, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, and printmaking. Participating schools include Greer High School, Chapman High School, East Henderson High School, Dorman High School Ninth Grade Campus, Landrum High School, Polk County High School, Spartanburg High School, and Lake Lure Classical Academy.

Art work is on display now in TFAC’s Gallery I. Many of the pieces will be available through live and silent auction at the Showcase of Excellence reception on April 23. Tickets for Showcase of Excellence are available at tryonarts.org or by calling 828-859-8322.

Showcase of Excellence is supported by major sponsors including Rotary Club of Tryon Foundation, TD Bank, Kiwanis Club of Tryon, Main Street Insurance, Andy Millard, IGA of Tryon, Chris Bartol Photography and community donors.

Article submitted by Michelle Fleming