Since March is nationally known at Youth Art Month, the Quinlan Visual Arts Center is joining forces with the Kiwanis Club of Gainesville to showcase the county’s young artists.

To that end, the art gallery displays the participants work in a professional gallery setting while the Kiwanis club recognizes excellence in visual arts, performing arts and writing with the Charles J. Thurmond Youth Art Scholarship Awards.

“We have artwork from elementary all the way up to 12th grade that will be on view,” said Paula Lindner, assistant director of the Quinlan Visual Arts Center in Gainesville. “And it’s on view March 17 through April 8.”

Winners of the scholarships are chosen by three judges, who are Quinlan Visual Arts Center Executive Director Amanda K. McClure; Art Institute of Chicago, Alexander Art “Master Artist” and Quinlan instructor Joan Darflinger and University of North Georgia assistant professor Alexandra Kraft.

“The scholarships are given away in conjunction with the Kiwanis Club of Gainesville,” Lindner said. “By their calculation, they’ve given out a total of $195,000 in total scholarships. $65,000 of that is given to the visual arts students.”

With 354 entries this year, grades six through 12 were awarded first, second and third place as well as an honorable mention. Best in Show first through third place and honorable mention were awarded, too.

The Best in Show prize in each category was $2,500 each year. First place winners from each grade also have the opportunity to compete at the State Youth Art Month competition where more cash awards are possible.

Best in Show winners were:

• First: Hayes Kennedy of Lakeview Academy for “Rush Hour”
• Second: Caitlin Marsh, a homeschool student for “Consumed”
• Third: Huynh Phan of Gainesville High School for “Arbor”
• Honorable Mention: Andrea Grindle of Chestatee High School for “Transient”
• Quinlan Award: Hayes Kennedy of Lakeview Academy for “Kitty in the City”

For a complete list, visit www.quinlanartscenter.org.

“The Youth Art Month submissions this year were the best I’ve ever seen,” McClure said.

Lindner encourages family and friends to come to the showcase displaying children’s artwork.

“It’s one of our favorite exhibitions that we love to host throughout the year,” she said.