Cumberland Art Society Hosting High School Art Competition

The Cumberland Art Society accepting artwork to compete in the 44th annual Reba Bacon Memorial High School Art Competition.

Upper Cumberland high school students have until the end of February to submit. Event Chair Bonnie Masters said artwork will be judged by Tennessee Tech students with the winners announced March 6th.

“They can be home schooled or private schooled, but they have to be sponsored by a teacher, principal or parent,” Masters said.

Masters said the competition includes nine categories: acrylic/oil, charcoal, clay, colored pencil, pastels, pencil, pen and ink, three dimensional and water color. Masters said all work must be original and must be framed or matted.

“Some of them are just amazing,” Masters said. “The detail and the likeness and the colors. It is just amazing.”

The competition name comes from the Art Society Founder Reba Bacon. Masters said Bacon began her own art fair on her property, which eventually transitioned to a competition for youth. Masters said it has since grown and follows Bacon’s mission to keep art in high school.

“She was just pro-students and she wanted to make sure that every student was included in the Upper Cumberland county area,” Masters said. “She just plain wanted to help out the kids.”

Entries will be displayed at the Cookeville gallery for the month of March. Top three finishes will all receive a monetary prize for their work.

Masters said artwork must be hand delivered to the Cumberland Art Society Backdoor Gallery & Studio at 186 A South Walnut Avenue in Cookeville from February 24th to 26th.