Valdosta Kicked Off Georgia Cities Week at City Market and Announced Art Contest Winners

Mayor John J. Fretti kicked off Georgia Cities Week on April 18 at the City Market in Downtown Valdosta with a proclamation and the announcement of the Georgia Cities Week Art Contest winners. 

The City received 45 creative and exceptional works of art from middle and high school students throughout the area.  The rules were few to encourage the young imagination:  the work had to reflect the “Living It Up Downtown” theme of this year’s Georgia Cities Week celebration, and the work had to be made from 80 percent recyclable materials.

“The entries received for our first Georgia Cities Week Art Contest confirmed the incredible talent our young people possess.  It also validates the desire to have more venues in our area for the display of this fine talent,” said Mayor Fretti.  “We applaud all the young artists who participated in this event, which is bringing more awareness to recycling and protection of our natural resources during a time when we also celebrate Earth Day.”

First, second and third place winners were selected in both the middle and high school categories.  Judges also selected five honorable mentions.  The winners are as follows:

High School Category

1^st place:  Kristine Phillips, VHS, 11^th grade
2^nd place:  Alexandria Hurst, VHS, 10^th grade
3^rd place:  Robert Jones, VHS, 9^th grade 

Honorable Mentions

Kirby Bromberg, VHS, 11^th grade
Kasten Bromberg, VHS, 11^th grade
Mary Machoski-Preston, VHS, 10^th grade

Judges for the City’s event were:  Jamie Harmon of the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, Lisa Hannon of The Galleria, and Annette Crosby of Artists on Ashley.   Special coordination and set up for the event was provided by Ann Johnston and Rachel Thrasher, both of the City Market.

 Citizens are encouraged to visit the City Market at 101 S. Patterson Street and view the art contest entries in the second floor gallery.  The display will be available through the end of April.

 For more information, contact Public Information Officer Sementha Mathews at (229) 259-3548.  For a complete list of Georgia Cities Week activities, visit the City’s website at www.valdostacity.com.