Art from students across Carroll County will be on display for the public from March 23-25 at the Grover King VFW Post 1115 in Hillsville.

The Annual Carroll County Art Fair will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. each of those days, with art teachers on hand from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Chad Tate, art teacher at Carroll County High School, hopes local citizens will take time to check out the displays and enjoy the artistry of the county’s youth.

“It’s a show of the work of the kids from all of the schools in Carroll County. It is a good way to support arts for the county. Especially with the way the budget is, we are so pinched for money, it worries me that art may get cut,” Tate said. “This is a good way to put art out there for the parents and kids to see. You know they are learning and growing, so it’s certainly a worthwhile event."

Most of the artwork on display will be traditional, such as pencil, color pencil, mixed media, and acrylic paint. Oil painting, which Tate teaches at CCHS, will be on display, while mixed media and water colors are big among elementary school students. Other art forms, such as pottery from students at Carroll County Intermediate, will also be represented.

New this year will be a display of work from the county’s art teachers.

“We all decided we were going to put one piece from our own work to display. We thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea so the students would understand we are not just teachers, we are artists, too,” Tate said. “It’s hard to convince someone you know what you are doing if you don’t do it. We also thought it would be fun for us.”

And while the work of local art teachers will be on display, the focal point will be on Carroll’s student artists. Tate has witnessed exceptional artists come through the local school system. It is his desire for them to continue their talents after high school, and for locals to appreciate their work.

“We have some incredibly talented kids. I have seen some kids come through here that were easily college level in terms of their ability, and those are the ones that need (the art program),” Tate said. “Around the world there’s so much unemployment, and sometimes I wonder if it isn’t because we don’t let them explore what they like. They are brought up not understanding they can do something with it.”

For Carroll students, the art fair is great exposure. Aside from being on display during the three-day event, 60 pieces of art are picked to be placed in local banks and the Carroll County Government Center throughout the year. The artists that create those pieces are also awarded a stipend of $25 per work, and have their art framed for them. After the artwork has been displayed for a year, students get to keep their work.

“It’s great for them. The framing alone costs a fortune,” Tate said. “And it’s good for people to come look at the work. We have such talented kids. It’s wonderful to look at all the different things they can do. Please come out and support us.”

Tate said a guestbook will be available at the fair, which he hopes citizens will use to leave supportive comments for Carroll students.