BMCA to feature artwork by local students

Valley Talent: Youth Artists Show set to open in Upper Gallery

The Valley Echo
January 19, 2022

Color Value Cityscape, by Alisson Rodriguez of W.D. William Elementary, was among the pieces featured in the Valley Talent: Youth Artists Show in 2020. The exhibit will return to the Upper Gallery of the Black Mountain Center for the Arts, from Jan. 21 - Feb. 4. Photo courtesy of BMCA

Many parents think every finger painting and crayon scribbling their child creates is as good as a Picasso. What that says about Picasso is in the eye of the beholder.

For the second year, the Upper Gallery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts is filled with artwork that represents the exceptional visual art created by local students in Valley Talent: Youth Artists Show. The show opens with a reception for the artists, their families and their art teachers, from 5 - 6:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 21, and runs through Friday, Feb. 4. The Upper Gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Masks are required for entry.

“We wanted to create an opportunity for a select group of young artists in our valley to exhibit and possibly sell their artwork,” said BMCA Executive Director Lori Cozzi. “The hope is to create an authentic experience in which students participate in an opening and a gallery exhibit.”  

Art teachers from 10 schools were invited to participate and the individual teachers created their own process for selecting works for the show.  Each school may enter up to eight two-dimensional pieces and up to two three-dimensional pieces.  Students invited to participate have the option of selling their artwork, but it is not a requirement.

Schools participating include Art in the Afternoon, ArtSpace, Asheville Christian, Black Mountain Academy, Black Mountain Elementary, Black Mountain Primary, Owen Middle, Owen High, The Learning Community and W. D. Williams Elementary.

Last year the show was canceled due to the pandemic, but in 2020 the show proved the creativity and skill of the students chosen for the show and this year should be even better.       

BMCA follows all Buncombe County guidance in regard to COVID safety, including requiring masks at all times inside the building.

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts is located at 225 West State Street. For more information visit blackmountainarts.org or call 828-669-0930.