Chattanooga Youth Gallery faces down coronavirus with creativity

When the minds behind the Chattanooga Youth Gallery decided on a theme and submission guidelines for this year's 11th annual student art show, they had no idea how prescient "The Future Is Now" would be.

Those decisions were made in January, well before the coronavirus pandemic closed schools and locked down life. Four months later, the key change from previous years - to accept submissions digitally, rather than requiring them to be dropped off in person - couldn't have been more fortuitous.

At the onset, it was more about convenience than necessity.

"It was always so time-consuming for the art teachers, with the framing and all those things that [drop-off] entails," says Terry Smyth, coordinator of the Youth Gallery with Jeannie Harper. "When COVID hit and the lockdown started ... we were already set in place to do it."

Photo Gallery

Chattanooga Youth Gallery

The coronavirus did restrict participation since the closing of schools limited students' access to art supplies and instruction. Initially, 35 high schools expressed an interest in having students submit artwork. Ultimately, only 15 schools were represented, with 208 submissions.

Nine students were singled out for awards in three categories of the juried competition. Best in Show winners were Anna Breed of Hilger Higher Learning, Visual Arts; Riley Evans of Silverdale Baptist Academy, Traditional Digital Photography; and Alex Harris of Bradley Central, Enhanced Digital Photography.

Rather than an awards reception at Bessie Smith Cultural Center, as was originally planned, representatives of the Youth Gallery and Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, the show's sponsor, formed a drive-by parade of cars to acknowledge the wins and drop off prizes. Winners received art scholarships totaling $1,500 from TVFCU, a yard sign proclaiming their achievement, balloons and a goodie bag.

Students also had the opportunity to take part in a workshop with professional artist Peggy Petrey on "The Endless Career Possibilities of Creative Talent - It All Depends on Applying and Marketing Yourself."

All of the works may be seen online at www.chattanoogayg.com.

That's at least one perk of this strange year, said Smyth. The number of works exhibited at the awards show would have been limited by the physical space available at the Bessie. Digital submissions easily became an all-inclusive slide show.

"It's pretty amazing the depth they have," Smyth said of the young artists. "They really think. They're in touch."

Email Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com.