The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing the nation's outstanding teen artists and writers, has launched the 2011 Scholastic Art Awards. Over 200 student Gold Key award-winning works of art will be on exhibit at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, located at 715 West Main Street, February 4-26, 2011. The Awards offer early recognition for creative teenagers and art scholarship opportunities for graduating high school seniors. An opening reception will be at the museum on Friday, February 4, 2011 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm in conjunction with the First Friday Trolley Hop.

“Now in its 88^th year and known nationally as the ‘Oldest and Most Prestigious Art Contest in the United States,’ we’re pleased to showcase the most prestigious portion of this student art competition,” says Kevin O’Brien, Executive Director of the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft.

The annual Awards competition began locally January 10 as students, grades 7-12, in the Louisville Metropolitan region submitted works of art in a wide array of categories, including painting, comic art, jewelry, sculpture, fashion, design, digital art, photography, video games and creativity & citizenship. The entries, submitted to the Jefferson County Public Schools Arts and Humanities Specialist, were evaluated by a panel of local jurors comprised of artists, art educators and arts professionals. Entries were eligible from all public, private and parochial school in thirteen surrounding counties.