More than 300 student pieces on display at Longview Museum of Fine Arts

LONGVIEW, TX (KLTV) - Got art? The Longview Museum of Fine Arts does, and maybe more than they have ever had on display.

They are hosting their 59th Student Invitational. So how many are there? 344 pieces of art.

Museum Director Tiffany Jehorek says it’s:

“A great show. There are 13 high schools represented, and a lot of different categories, so pottery, sculpture, painting, mixed media, color drawing, black and white drawing, computer graphics and photography,” Jehorek said.

She says it’s underwritten by the Cultural Advisory Committee and the City of Longview, and a private donor.

“So we are able to award cash prizes to first, second, third and to best in show so pretty exciting,” Jehorek revealed.

The donor, who wants to remain anonymous, was actually in the shows years ago.

“She and her husband support the arts and thought this would be a good place to do so,” Jehorek stated.

The donor’s daughter was in the show as well. Jehorek says it’s the biggest art display since she’s been involved with the museum.

“I think this year we included freshmen, so that bumped us up. I think last year we only had 269 pieces,” Jehorek said.

And the 344 pieces have to be displayed in a way that makes sense.

“And then you have 344 labels that you have to do. So there’s a lot of processes involved,” Jehorek said.

Including lighting, and at the opening on Sunday about 500 people came by.

“It’s really one of our largest attended shows, because you have 344 artists represented. So they all want to bring their families so that makes it nice,” Jehorek said.

The Sunday Opening was judged by Brett Dyer, an Art Professor at North Lake College in Dallas. The Hallsville resident currently has an exhibition at the museum.

The student artists are all getting help.

“All this art the teachers are helping direct this art and inspire them,” Jehorek added.

So check it out. Someday you may be able to say I remember when that artist was just a student.

The student show runs through March 23. It’s $5 to get in. The Longview Museum of Fine Arts is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Click here for more information on the student show and upcoming exhibits.

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