Artwork by Hailee Shuey.

Although it is common these days to hear about the decline in school and community arts programs, the Arts Education Partnership knows strong arts programs in our nation are thriving.

The Young Artist Program was established in 2009 to highlight, honor and support creative and talented students and their dedicated teachers.

For the Fall 2012 Young Artist Program, students were asked to create an original work of visual art that responded to, reflected, or was inspired by this Leonardo da Vinci quote: "Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Realize that everything connects to everything else."

AEP staff, a national committee of arts and education professionals and Chattanooga-area visual arts educators and administrators judged the 27 entries that were received from eight schools in three states. Each entry was considered for its relevance to the theme of the da Vinci quote, visual appeal and ability to be incorporated into a program design.

The winner, Hailee Shuey, a senior at Cumberland County High School in Crossville, Tenn., was selected in July as the winner of the Fall 2012 Young Artist Award.

Hailee's watercolor artwork, "Light Moves," is the featured cover of the AEP Fall 2012 National Forum program. Hailee will be presented with a framed copy of the program and an AEP monetary prize during a special recognition ceremony at the National Forum in the morning on Friday. During this ceremony, AEP will also present Hailee's art teacher with a donation for the purchase of art supplies.