Quinlan Visual Arts Center is recognizing the youngest artists in North Georgia with its annual youth art competition.

Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Gainesville, the 11th annual Youth Art Month Exhibition will be from March 14 to April 12. All Quinlan gallery spaces will be devoted to the display of youth art entries since March is nationally recognized as Youth Art Month.

All Gainesville and Hall County elementary (grades 3-5), middle and high schools were invited to submit their best artwork. Winners of the competition will receive scholarship awards from the Charles J. Thurmond Youth Art Scholarship fund. The award announcements will be made at the opening reception for students and parents from 5:30–7 p.m. Friday, March 14, at the Quinlan. Winners names will be posted online at www.quinlanartscenter.org.

The Charles J. Thurmond Youth Art Scholarship Awards provides scholarships to the top three places in the performing, visual and writing arts. Awards will be $2,500 for first, $1,500 for second and $1,000 for third.

Scholarships will be awarded in the same manner as the Kiwanis District Scholarship Awards. Upon the student’s enrollment to college, he or she will notify the Kiwanis Club and a check will be sent directly to the school.

Scholarship winners will be honored at the Kiwanis Club’s Awards Luncheon at noon May 6 at First Baptist Church. During the luncheon, the winning artists, “Best of Show” from the Visual Arts Showcase will display their artwork, and the scholarship winners from the Performing Arts Showcase will perform their pieces and the scholarship winners from the Writing Showcase will read their works.

Scholarships and the event have been named to honor an outstanding Gainesvillian and Kiwanian, Charles J. Thurmond.