Amanda M. Usher | The Valdosta Daily TimesAlice Johnson, district director for Congressman Austin Scott, and Sunni Pike, ticket sales coordinator and office administrator for Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, prepare for the Eighth Annual Congressional Art Show. The show will be held 3 p.m., April 22, in the Valdosta Mall. 

VALDOSTA — Artistic expressions by high school students are currently displayed on the walls of a Valdosta Mall store space located across from Rue 21. 

Sixty paintings, photographs and drawings from the youthful artists will be featured at the Eighth Annual Congressional Art Show set to be hosted by Congressman Austin Scott, 3 p.m., April 22.

Alice Johnson, Scott’s district director, said none of the artwork is for sale and the art show is an effort to highlight regional talent in high school students. She confirmed Scott will be present at the art show.

All artwork is inclusive of Georgia’s congressional Eighth District, which consists of Valdosta, Thomasville, Tifton, Warner Robins, Macon, Forsyth, Johnson said.

About 20 of the 60 pieces of artwork come from Lowndes County students, said Sunni Pike, ticket sales coordinator and office administrator for Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts.

Pike has been assisting Johnson with organizing and curating the reception.

“I think it’s going to be a really good opportunity for a lot of young artists to showcase their work in the community,” Pike said, “so I’m very excited to see the turnout for the reception.”

Ninth though twelfth graders submitted their artwork earlier in the year, and will have it evaluated during the art show by local judges.

The first-place winner will have his or her artwork exhibited in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.. from June until the following May, Johnson said.

The winning piece will join 434 others in the Capitol’s gallery, and Johnson said the winner of the art show will receive two flight tickets for the reveal in Washington, D.C.

Second- and third-place winners will have their artwork displayed in the district offices located in Tifton and Warner Robins, Johnson said.

Photos of all of the artwork will be on Scott’s Facebook page for followers to view. The piece with the most likes will be selected to receive the People’s Choice award and will be on display in Scott’s Washington, D.C., office, Johnson said.

She said the feedback received from the yearly show is positive.

“It’s always great,” Johnson said. “In all the high schools, we have great art teachers that help put this together.”

Light refreshments will be served during the reception. Visit austinscott.house.gov/services/art-competition for more information. 

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.