LUMBERTON — This month, three artists from the Public Schools of Robeson County received recognition for excellence in the arts.
Richard Washington Jr., a senior at Lumberton High School, earned national recognition in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 2016. He has been identified as one of the most talented young artists and writers in the nation. This year, nearly 320,000 works of art and writing were submitted for the competition. Only the top 1 percent was recognized at the national level. Washington was invited to attend a ceremony at the world-famous Carnegie Hall on June 2.
Fairmont High School senior Juanita Martinez is a state winner of the North Carolina Association of Educators’ Multicultural Arts Contest. NCAE Vice President Mark Jewell presented Martinez with a plaque at the Robeson County school board meeting on March 8. Martinez received first place for her artwork “We’re All Tied Together.” Her work was on display at the NCAE Center during the month of February.
Also this month, Fairmont High senior Niya Dickens was selected as the Project Graduation artist. The drawing combines mascots from each high school and had to meet the criteria of the theme “One Dream, One Team.” Niya will receive a check for $100 and her artwork will be featured on more than 1,000 shirts for the night of Project Graduation.
These recognitions are fitting any time, but especially during the month of March. March is Youth Art Month, Music in Schools Month, Theatre in Schools Month and Dance in Schools Month. Sandi Carter is the supervisor for the Arts Education programs throughout the 42 schools in the Public Schools of Robeson County.
“We have so many talented student artists in the county, but it is always exciting for others to recognize their talent. The artistic abilities span between kindergarten and high school,” Carter said.
On Thursday 40 students from the Public Schools of Robeson County will be recognized at the Superintendent’s Choice Art Reception. The art pieces represent the system’s talented artists and highlight the strength of the visual arts program at each of the schools. The works will be on display at PNC Bank in Lumberton through the month of June. Afterwards the art will hang at the central office for one year.
Also on Thursday, more than 60 student artists will display their works at the IEA Art Show at the Indian Education Resource Center in Pembroke from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The show will feature student artwork from the N.C. Indian Unity Conference.
. The arts in the district encompass band, chorus, dance, general music, strings, theatre, visual arts and the Children’s Theatre Arts Program as well as the Studio One Lab Theatre.
Some art events coming up in the next few months include:
— Project Graduation Gala, held on April 8 from 7 to 11 p.m at the farmers market.
— All-County Orchestra, which will play on April 21 at Lumberton Junior High School at 6 p.m.
— All-County Art Exhibition ,which will open on April 21 at Biggs Park Mall.
— All-County band, which will play a concert on April 28 at 6 p.m. at Robeson Community College.
— A performance of the play “Freedom Train” on May 13 at Lumberton Junior High Shool at 6 p.m.
For information about the arts, visit the district website or call 910-735-2441.
