Visual art pieces from nearly 100 students across Missouri's 8th Congressional District will be on display in the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri galleries as part of the 27th annual Eighth Congressional District High School Art Competition.

The juried exhibition was created as a way to encourage artistic talent among students while presenting an opportunity to have their work displayed on a local and national level. The submitted pieces will be on display in the Arts Council galleries until May 25. The piece selected as Best in Show will be on display for one year at the Capitol in Washington D.C.

"Spivat," by Cat Crites is one of the entries in the 27th annual Eighth Congressional District High School Art Competition at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. Crites is a junior at Central High School in Cape Girardeau. (ADAM VOGLER)

This year, the winner of Best in Show will receive two ticket vouchers from Southwest Airlines to attend a reception at the Capitol, said Leslie Herbst, event organizer with the Office of the Eighth Congressional District.

The competition is a way for the students and the state to appreciate budding local talent.

"It's all about the students in the 8th District," Herbst said. "Having your art on display for your friends and family to see can really be a confidence booster."

Murielle Gaither, executive director of the Arts Council, said the 8th District show is a special one given its emphasis on arts education.

"It's one of the more fun shows we do each year," she said. "You see each individual developing skills and honing in on particular mediums and we really like to encourage that."

"Then and Now," by Emily Sheets is one of the entries in the 27th annual Eighth Congressional District High School Art Competition at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. Sheets is a senior at Central High School in Cape Girardeau. (Adam Vogler)

Gaither said the show also "fills a niche" for the Arts Council because it is one of its only opportunities to exclusively display work by young people. The Arts Council hosts exhibits for children and adults, but this exhibit helps better represent the entire community, she said.

Herbst, who has been involved in the competition for 10 years, said she always finds the pieces entered by high school students across Southeast Missouri "intriguing."

"Labels," by Amber Helms is one of the entries in the 27th annual Eighth Congressional District High School Art Competition at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. Helms is a senior at Central High School in Cape Girardeau. (ADAM VOGLER)

"It's fun to get into their heads and see the world through their eyes," she said. "We get so much talent, even the judges have a hard time choosing a winner. That process takes more time than you might think."

Gaither and Herbst described the judging process as "relaxed," and said the three judges have different backgrounds in art. This gives each piece an equal opportunity, Gaither said.

"The judges just come in and kind of take a look around and find the pieces they like and discuss them," she said. "They're looking at composition, form, use of color and medium, but, more than anything, it's their gut reaction."

"Check Mate," by Alethia Hebert, a junior at Central High School in Cape Girardeau. (Adam Vogler)

The exhibit will open at 5 p.m. today and will be among participating First Friday exhibits.

The winner of Best in Show and the 10 runners-up will be recognized during a brief ceremony.

Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

32 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO