Rutherford County Schools Art Competition in support of Peace and Justice

By Brian Jennings

The Murfreesboro City Hall Art Committee (CHAC) is pleased to bring the inaugural Peace and Justice Art Competition to the Rotunda of City Hall, Jan. 7 through Feb. 7. Featuring Rutherford County School students from kindergarten through 12th grade, the competition’s theme, “Branches of One Tree, Rooted in Love,” is an effort to grasp the innocence and creativity of youth as a catalyst for broadening community love, peace, tolerance, diversity and respect.

An awards reception is scheduled for Jan. 9 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The reception will begin on the civic plaza of City Hall, just outside the Rotunda. A special musical presentation will kick things off, featuring the choreographed artistry of Tirra Hargrow. From there, festivities will proceed back inside to the city council’s chambers, where Pidge Cash, Chair of the Murfreesboro Peace and Justice Art Committee, will speak and introduce Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess and Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg, who will make the presentation of awards.

The work will be juried by MTSU Department of Art professors Sisavanh Houghton, Michael Baggarly and CHAC member Lee Anne Carmack. During the presentation, a Best of Show and first, second and third place winners will be announced per grade level, with a few honorable mentions offered to works especially deserving of recognition. Additionally, each school’s art teacher(s) will be acknowledged, with one art teacher and school receiving special recognition for having the greatest number of student award recipients.

Exhibits in the Rotunda are free and open to the public between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for observed holidays. City Hall is located at 111 W. Vine St.

For more information on the Peace and Justice Art Competition, contact Pidge Cash at (615) 542-2162.