THOMASVILLE — While science-based STEM subjects have been in the spotlight in recent years, Thomasville Center for the Arts is celebrating artistic endeavors during national Youth Art Month, devoting March to showcasing the talents of local students. 

“Nurturing creativity through art and music brings beauty and joy to life, but what many people don’t realize is that the arts also foster valuable real-world skills — perseverance, collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking, for example,” said Michele Arwood, executive director at the Center. “These are valuable proficiencies in any job, and in life.” 

The activities kick off March 1 with the opening of the High School Visual Art Show Award Ceremony starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Center’s downtown location, 209 W. Remington Ave. 

“For decades, this competition has served to showcase our local high school art programs, their teachers and students while recognizing talented student artists and encouraging education to pursue their artistic goals,” said Mary Oglesby, education outreach director for the Center. 

High school students from Thomas County were eligible to submit their 2D and 3D artworks to the juried competition and the finalists will be given prizes including cash and certificates. A separate portfolio competition specifically for graduating seniors will award a $1,000 scholarships for the talented recipient to study visual arts at college. 

The exhibition will run through March 29. 

In partnership with the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation and Thomas University, the Center also sponsored a competition and scholarship opportunity for local high school vocalists, pianists and instrumentalists. The finalists will compete at the Thomasville Performing Arts Concert, set for 4 p.m. March 10 at the TCA theatre. Finalists have the possibility of earning scholarships, awards or prizes between $250-$1,000 in each category at the discretion of the judges to be used for college education or summer music program. 

“We hope the community will come out and support these young artists at the concert showcase,” said Rick Ivey, the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation’s artistic and executive director. 

The concert, held in the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium, is free and open to the public. Southwest Georgia RESA,Thomas County Schools, Thomasville City Schools, Grady County Schools and the City of Thomasville collaborated with the Thomasville Center for the Arts to present the seminar. 

Educators from across southwest Georgia and the community have been invited to a day-long workshop March 15 entitled “Breaking the Iron Cage of Poverty.” Dr. Donna Beegle will help participants understand how the different life experiences of poverty impact educational success and what they can do to improve outcomes. The afternoon session will include a highly interactive workshop to learn the differences in communication across social class and develop tools for communicating more effectively. 

Dr. Beegle’s personal story is one of triumph over such circumstances. Growing up in migrant-labor poverty, she left school at 15 to get married and had two children. She later earned her GED and ultimately a Ph.D. 

While Thomasville Center for the Arts is constantly presenting events for our local schools throughout the year, from March 5-9, second and third graders will be treated to presentations by Cosmos New Music. The international group of graduate students from Florida State University will share music and folktales from their home countries.