For The Observer

The Northwest Mississippi Community College art department will present its third annual Art Scholarship Competition Exhibition on January 25-29, 2010.

An awards reception will be held Monday, Jan. 25, from 6-8 p.m., in the art gallery on the Senatobia campus.

Four full-tuition scholarships will be awarded during the competition, which is open to all 2010 graduating high school seniors as well as any individual who would like to pursue a creative career in the fine arts.

Lawayne House, department chair, and instructors Ashley Chavis and Eunika Rogers will judge portfolios of original art consisting of at least 10 works of art in any medium and size.

All artwork should be neatly matted or framed, labeled with name, address and phone number on the back of each piece, and delivered to the art gallery, care of Lawayne House, office 201, Jan. 18-22, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

“The Northwest art department is becoming well known in the community and throughout Mississippi’s four-year institutions as an outstanding and comprehensive program of study,” said House.

Northwest art students continue to win top honors in annual statewide community college art competitions, according to House.

“Last spring we brought home one-third of all the awards given in the state,” House said. “This is huge when you think about the number of community colleges in Mississippi. Several of our students have won substantially large scholarships to the Memphis College of Art.”

The University of Mississippi and Delta State University have also awarded scholarships, he said.

 “These awards confirm our readiness to expect and demand perfection from students who seek to enter a field of study in a highly competitive environment,” House noted.

Fine arts division director Dr. Ken Sipley said, “Northwest has a long history of turning out competent artists who go on to do well at four-year institutions and in their professional careers. The art faculty can accomplish this because they are themselves practicing artists, have a passion for art, and the ability to connect with, encourage, and develop students to their potential.”

The Northwest art department offers a two-year program of foundation courses in drawing, design, painting, Pottery and advertising/graphic  design, along with art history for individuals seeking opportunities for a career in the arts or for personal enrichment. For more information, contact House at 662-562-3399 or e-mail lhouse@northwestms.edu

.Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. Admission is free.