THOMASVILLE- Last week, Thomasville Center for the Arts welcomed hundreds of students, families, and friends to celebrate the creativity and artwork of school-aged individuals in the Thomasville community. Attendees viewed the current exhibition of over 300 pieces of art created by area students, from pre-K to 12th grade, then enjoyed an opening reception and award ceremony celebrating the winners in each category and age range.

Youth Arts Month (YAM) is a national initiative that occurs every March to engage students in the arts and highlight the importance of artmaking. This year, the Center worked to expand the reach of this initiative, including students as young as Pre-K and adding performing and literary arts to the competition categories. 

“Art gives us new ways to see, feel and heal. Youth Arts Month provides students a great opportunity to make their voices heard through their art, and Thomasville Center for the Arts is committed to uplifting those voices,” said Britt Shiver, Director of Programs and Engagement at the Center.

Cash prizes were awarded to students from Thomas County Schools, Thomasville City Schools, and Brookwood School, and included 1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners, in addition to Most Creative and Best of Show winners for visual arts.

The public is invited to visit the Center for the Arts during the month of March and head upstairs to view the youth art exhibition, starting with pre-K and culminating with the work of high school students. Galleries are free and open to the public Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and 2nd Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The 2025 YAM winners are:

Visual Arts

High school

• Best of Show: Peyton Patten

• 1st: Ella Kate Carroll

• 2nd: Olive Powe

• 3rd: Kennedy Warren

• Most creative: Calamity Grisham

• People’s choice: Kennedy Warren

Middle school

• 1st – Chloe Do

• 2nd – Lucy Lowry

• 3rd – Destiny Simpson

• Most creative: Madison Howell

• People’s choice: Charles Kincaid

Elementary school (3rd-5th)

• 1st – Edon Waldrep

• 2nd – Kenley Hines

• 3rd – Ja’Riyah Grower

• Most creative: Kylan Callaway

• People’s choice: Gavin Williams

Elementary school (K-2)

• 1st – Colby Barrow

• 2nd – Noelle Robinson

• 3rd – Madison Santoro

• People’s choice: Colson Lewis

Elementary School (Pre-K)

• 1st – Julie Fabozzi

• 2nd – Belle Audette

• 3rd – Summer Jones

• Most creative: David Walters

• People’s choice: Maryalice Stanaland

Performing Arts

High school

• 1st: Adalee King, Julia Sharp and Laramie Stokes

• 2nd: Laramie Stokes

• 3rd: Wren Spivey

Literary Arts

High school

• 1st: Carlisle Bilbo

• 2nd: Randle Davis

• 3rd: Laramie Stokes

Middle school

• 1st – Lorelai Trulock

Elementary school

• 1st – Serenity Davis

• 2nd – Rhea Mills

• 3rd – Eliza Fisher

While visiting the Center and viewing the youth art exhibition, guests may also enjoy Modern Yarn Garden, a fiber art installation featuring the work of Luwahana Lee Martin of Ellijay, Georgia. These fiber pieces are on display around the trunks of two majestic oak trees at the Center’s entrance. On view through September 2025, these works pay homage to the well-known works of Dutch abstract artist Piet Mondrain. Modern Yarn Garden was created to promote Stop & Smell the Roses! – a yarn bomb unveiling at Due South 2025 on West Jackson Street from April 3 – May 1.