Stephanie Dennis

By Stephanie Sokol for Digital First Media

For school-age children, having a chance to show their art in public is an exciting opportunity.

Receiving an award for their art brings even more joy.

“It seems to me that students and their families are often appreciative of getting their works on the wall,” Phil Gilchrist, executive director of the Anton Art Center, says in regard to the annual Secondary Student Show. “It’s an accomplishment for students.”

Bringing together the works of students from around Macomb County, this is the 37th year for the show.

Out of 1,243 submissions this year, 370 pieces by 228 students were chosen for the exhibit, which is divided by grades. It is the center’s largest event, and takes up most of the building, Gilchrist says.

“While this show is up, we see some of highest foot traffic of the entire year,” he says. “A lot of attendees are the family of (artists whose) works that are on display.”

A jury of area art teachers judges the pieces for awards including best of grade, best portfolio and best in show.

“When the students see they’ve won an award, they get very excited,” Gilchrist says. All of the student artists will receive a certificate for participation.

The young artists come from 27 Macomb County schools. The Anton Art Center created a partnership between the public and parochial schools and also welcomes students who are home schooled or attend private schools in the area.

Gilchrist says it is the support of art teachers throughout the years that has made the show a success, including Ken Hoover, formerly of L’Anse Creuse, and Patricia Woodstock of Lakeshore Public Schools. Having this relationship has made it possible to give passionate student artists the chance to show off their creations.

“The talent and skill that we see in this show each year never fails to impress me,” Gilchrist says. “There are some very talented students in Macomb County, and I’m glad we’re able to offer this opportunity for them to wet their feet in the art world.”

• If You Go: Anton Art Center Secondary Student Show runs March 10-April 13, at 125 Macomb Place, Mt. Clemens. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Visit theartcenter.org/.