As part of the celebrations for the 250th of America’s founding, the City of Morristown is hosting the “Celebration of America Art Show” in the rotunda at the City Center.

Art students from all over Hamblen County submitted works of art that will be on display through June 12.

“This is part of the city’s initiative to celebrate the 250th celebration of America,” Public Relations Manager Rachel Westra said. “We have collected artwork from middle and high school local students that are patriotic themed.

“The city center is open from eight to five, Monday through Friday — just come right in. It’s right here in the Rotunda. Everyone is welcome to come and take a look and view the beautiful artwork.”

Mayor Gary Chesney took a moment Tuesday evening to drop by the opening reception for the gallery and said he was impressed by the talent on display.

“I’m a big fan of art,” he said. “I think artists are gifted people who are special and have vision and they express themselves on the mat and on the easel; it’s impressive to see. And I know that we, as a city, have put our support in downtown art and it’s a thing that we’re proud of and the people who are involved.

“Carol and the folks at both of the high schools have done a nice job of promoting the program, and in middle schools as well. I think when you encourage that kind of talent with posi-

See
SHOW
page 3

The “Celebration of America Art Show” displaying artwork by area students will be on display at the Morristown City Center rotunda until June 12.

Drew C. Robinson/Citizen Tribune tive feedback, I think it only benefits our community and our culture.”

Westra organized the pop-up gallery and said it took all of the schools coordinating together to bring the project to life.

“I do want to thank the local middle and high school art teachers,” she said. “They were instrumental in collecting the artwork to be put on display. And some of them even worked it into their curriculum to help their students create artwork that lined up with the spirit of the show.”

Morristown East High art teacher Carol Rouse was at the reception and bragged on her students, but said she was also impressed with the other art she was seeing.

She said she hoped things like this exhibit would continue to shine a spotlight on the arts in education, and noted there was room to grow programs and opportunities in Hamblen County.

“These are all great kids,” she said. “You can take four years of art (in high school in Hamblen County) and the fourth year is AP art, which is a collegebased studio class. Thank goodness the state of Tennessee does require that you have to take one fine art elective… that helps us keep our program alive because a lot of kids aren’t in the band or choir and theater, so they want to do fine visual art.”

Rouse is hoping the exhibit can become a yearly event, in addition to the artwork that is exhibited at places like the Rose Center.

“Anywhere that you can exhibit their pieces, it just builds their self-esteem and it brings the community in,” she said.

Rouse said she hopes more students will be able, someday, to participate.

“If we could only get our school system to hire elementary arts, that would be even more amazing. We’re the only county in the state, in East Tennessee, that doesn’t have K-5 elementary art teachers. So when they come to me, they’ve only had art in middle school. And some of them don’t get art at all in middle school. So I teach them from scratch.”

As the crowd at the reception meandered around to enjoy the art on display, it was clear there’s a lot of talented young artists in Morristown and Hamblen County.

Bailey Bartley, a senior at Lakeway Christian Academy, brought home a first place ribbon with her painting “Sunset Serenade,” a landscape that “captures the beauty and freedom of Tennessee’s natural landscapes.”

Emyre Gilmer, an 8th grader at West View Middle School, brought home second place with the pencil drawing “Sceneries of Freedom” that “shows the important structures in our country such as Mount Rushmore, Statue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge and the Capitol.”

Third place went to Morristown East senior Emory Galbreath for her collage and needlework work “America, A bird is not for throwing rocks at.”

The piece is stylized like a quilt to represent the fabric of America and the inclusion “of African American images emphasize their place in America’s story” and “is a celebration of America because it highlights Americans’ relentless effort to improve the country they love.”

Finally, honorable mention was awarded to Gary Allen Underwood, a 10th grader at Morristown West High for his pencil and graphite image “The Cost,” a piece reminding viewers “what it took to buy our freedom.”