Southern High School has set a date for its 16th annual ArtQuest. The largest, most community inclusive, professionally juried student art exhibition in the state of Maryland will take place April 25.

The show has become a staple not only for Southern High School, but for the community as well. ArtQuest features work from each of the Southern elementary feeder schools and Southern Middle School.

ArtQuest is nationally sponsored by Kathy Kahre, President of ArtQuest Inc. based in St. Louis, MO, which is something Southern art department chair Michael Bell is very proud of.

“It’s probably the only nationally sponsored student art show in the country,” Bell said. “The show features student art, which parents and kids can come out and see for free. At the end, we give out awards.”

Artists ranging from kindergarten to high school participate in ArtQuest, and there are recognitions offered for everyone. Students are awarded cash prizes totaling more than $2,000 in 50 categories. National Art Honor Society members also are inducted at ArtQuest, and major scholarships are announced before a packed crowd.

Last year, Bell’s students earned $2,256,000 in scholarship offers, topping the previous years’ $2,047,000.

ArtQuest’s featured juror this year is former Southern High graduate, Lee Nowell, a standout art star from the class of 2007. Upon graduating, Nowell received her BFA in painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore.

ArtQuest 2013 will be held at 7 p.m. April 25 at Southern High School. The public is welcome to attend.

See Also:

• Student Inspiration Leads Southern Art Teacher to National Recognition