Gwinnett Daily Post

Special Photo Buford's Tannery Row hosts an all student art exhibit, which opens today.

BUFORD -- Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Every artist was first an amateur." Today, Tannery Row Artist Colony gives young creators a chance to hone their craft for display with its new exhibit.

For the second year, the Buford art studio is hosting a High School Art Show as a way to give back to the community and encourage the arts, according to Tannery Row artist Sabrina Bland.

"At Tannery, we artists are passionate about creating beauty and depth in a fast-food world," she said. "Art grounds us and enriches us all. Why not encourage the youth of our community to be creators?"

Today is the exhibit's opening reception, which has more than 50 pieces on display from seven schools in Gwinnett and Hall counties.

At the reception, attendees have a chance to take a look at the fresh pieces while a juried judge, David Campbell, examines each one. At 7:30 p.m., he will reveal the winners. The teacher who represents the majority of student winners receives a Savannah College of Art and Design scholarship, so the teacher has the chance to continue their own personal education.

The winning students are awarded a smaller scholarship gift. The money collected for the students came from donations from individuals in the community "who wanted the students to have a monetary gift to be used towards their education -- hopefully in art colleges," Bland said.

Bland and the other artists at the Tannery wanted to give the young artists a chance to participate in a "real" art exhibition and competition because the arts aren't always readily available in schools.

"Much like students interested in being nursing or education majors and have the chance to learn these skills in public schools, art students don't have the same options," she said. "We wanted to showcase the excellent teachers as well, who are amazing artists that have dedicated their talents to bringing forth more beauty in our world."

The pieces will be on display and for sale through Feb. 23.