“Education teaches you to write your name; arts education gives you your signature.” A core belief of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Partners in Education program, this quote is put into practice by Tryon Fine Arts Center’s Showcase of Excellence.

The highly anticipated Showcase of Excellence returns to Tryon Fine Arts Center’s Gallery I with an opening reception on Saturday, February 17 at 10:30am. The reception and Showcase of Excellence exhibit features top high school artists from across Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina.

Art teachers from more than half a dozen schools have submitted students’ work in six medium categories to be professionally juried and exhibited at TFAC. Prizes will be awarded to the top student artists and their teachers at the February 17 reception. There is no cost to tour the exhibit or attend the opening reception. Showcase of Excellence is on display through March 10.

“As a Kennedy Center partner, education is at the forefront of what we do,” said Marianne Carruth, Executive Director of TFAC, “Showcase of Excellence allows us to support both young student artists and the teachers who make arts in education possible.”

Student artwork includes painting, photography, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, and printmaking. Participating schools includes new and returning participants from Chapman High School, East Henderson High School, Dorman High School Ninth Grade Campus, Polk County High School, Boiling Springs High School, and more.

Tryon Fine Arts Center is a nonprofit organization that operates and programs a 315 seat performance venue and 150 seat amphitheater for music, opera, theatre, dance, and lectures on Melrose Avenue in Tryon, North Carolina.  In addition to presenting programming for a wide variety of audiences, TFAC also makes the arts accessible to local students through education and outreach programs. More information about Tryon Fine Arts Center programs is available online at www.tryonarts.org or by calling 828-859-8322.

– submitted by Michelle Fleming