Albany hosts Kiwanis Club student art, music competition

ALBANY — Talented high school students from all around the state competed for college scholarships Saturday at the Georgia Kiwanis District Art & Music Showcase in downtown Albany.

Showcase co-chair Kristin Caso said that although Albany students have competed in the show for 35 years, this is the first year the city has hosted the event. By agreement, Albany will act as host for the next two years as well, Caso said.

“During the time our local kids have competed in the show they’ve won well over $50,000 in scholarship money,” Caso said. Now we’re so excited to host the Showcase here in these historic venues — the Municipal Auditorium and the old Carnegie Library, which now houses the Albany Area Arts Council.”

Caso said that while the show features the work of students in grades 6-12, only those in 9th grade or higher would be eligible to win a scholarship.

“You never can tell,” Caso said, “it could be a 9th-grader who wins the big scholarship and have to wait a long time to use that money.”

Caso said a total of $15,000 in scholarships would be awarded for both the art and music competitions, beginning with a $3,500 prize for first place, $2,500 for second, 1,000 for third and a $500 scholarship for fourth place.

“In the past we’ve had art teachers tell us that sometimes a scholarship like ours makes the difference in that student going to college or not,” she said. “That’s what makes this all worthwhile.”

Entries for the art competion were on display noon-1:30 p.m. at the Albany Area Arts Council, 215 N. Jackson St. before closing to accommodate judging of the work. Music competition took place 3 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Albany Municipal Auditorium, 200 N. Jackson St.

The event was hosted by Georgia Division 5 and Kiwanis Club of Dougherty County, with assistance from Albany Kiwanis, Lee County Kiwanis and Albany Golden K. Scholarships were provided by the Georgia District Kiwanis Foundation Inc.