VAA hosting children’s art show

Published 6:58 pm Friday, April 13, 2018

For more than 40 years, the Vicksburg Art Association has hosted a Children’s Art show.

This year, Ashleigh Holliday is serving as chairman of the show, which is scheduled to run from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Old Constitution Firehouse Gallery, 1204 Main St.

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Holliday said this is her third year to serve as chairman, and that the show will display artwork from children in kindergarten through sixth grade.

“This show was open to all elementary schools in town, including St. Francis and Porter’s Chapel, and we have had everything from traditional paintings, to 3D dioramas, to a Chihuly-inspired chandelier made out of plastic bottles,” Holliday said.

There was no limit to the number of pieces the children could submit, Holliday said, but for her class, she said she choose artwork that has been done throughout the school year.

“Each time we complete a project, I saved the artwork that really stood out to me,” she said.

Teachers were allowed to submit as many or as few art pieces from their students as they like, Holliday said, which averages out to between 100 to 150 pieces per school.

Holliday said the children’s art show is a non-judged event.

“We feel that for the little kids, it doesn’t have to be a competition because they all get to feel like winners by being showcased,” she said.

To date, Holliday said, there are only four elementary art teachers in the Warren County public schools and hopes this will change.

“Studies have shown that students who have art and music classes at school perform better on tests than those who don’t, which is why I think it’s such a shame that many of the elementary schools in the area do not have art at all,” Holliday said.

“The arts are integral to a child’s education, and having an art class at school provides an outlet for students who otherwise may struggle in school. That is why I feel like this event is so important to our children and our community.”

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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