Artworks by 19 local high school seniors have been chosen to be exhibited in the 23rd Annual Protégé Competition and Exhibition at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas (AMSET). The pieces will be unveiled to the public and winners announced at the opening reception and awards ceremony from 6 – 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 25. In a special twist this year, the juror is Protégé 1999 first place winner Mark Ponder, who continued his career in art with great success.

Protégé will be on display at AMSET through March 28, and will then travel to selected area schools and other venues for further exposure and outreach in the Southeast Texas community.

The Protégé Competition and Exhibition is a program that offers area 12th-grade students the opportunity to begin taking the steps necessary to become part of the greater world of art. AMSET believes it is important for young artists to have an early opportunity to experience art competitions and, if accepted, learn how to properly exhibit their work. This year, AMSET received 114 total entries. The entries were submitted from 13 schools in the Region 5 Education Service area, along with one from the Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities and two from young artists working independently.

Having Ponder as Protégé 2010 juror truly brings this enduring competition full-circle. He is currently a visiting professor of art at Lamar University. Ponder’s journey from winning Protégé 1999 to judging Protégé 2010 will offer graduating artists a special insight into the importance of the competition and opportunities for exhibiting artwork.

Awards given will include: First Place – four-year art scholarship to the Lamar University Department of Art and a $225 gift certificate for art supplies from Manning’s Supply. The first place winner’s teacher or school will also receive a $125 gift certificate for classroom art supplies. Second Place – four-year art scholarship to the Lamar University Department of Art and a $150 gift certificate for art supplies. Third Place – $100 gift certificate for art supplies. Five Honorable Mentions – $50 gift certificate for art supplies.

This program is made possible through the generous support of Market Basket Food Stores. Additional funding is provided by Dorothy Anne Conn, the City of Beaumont, Texas Commission on the Arts, the Department of Art of Lamar University through a donation by the Friends of the Arts and Manning’s Office and School Supply.

Through unique collections, exhibitions, public programs and outreach in the visual arts, the mission of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas is to provide education, inspiration and creative vision throughout Southeast Texas.

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