By DAVID MURIMI

Staff Writer

The North Central Louisiana Arts Council is inviting Lincoln Parish schools to submit artwork for the first Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Student Art Exhibit.

"The Arts Council wanted to participate in the ecumenical observance with an art exhibit that portrays the life of Dr. King," Shelby McDuff, executive director of the NCLAC, said.

According to the NCLAC, students in first through twelfth grades can submit one piece of artwork celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Black History Month.

"This art exhibit creates an opportunity for students to communicate to the public through their art work," McDuff said.

McDuff said each school will deliver artwork submitted from the students to the NCLAC offices.

"NCLAC will jury the artwork and will hang the best in each category, and certificates will be given to the winners," McDuff said.

According to the NCLAC, the deadline for submission to the art teacher or the school office is Jan. 25, and the NCLAC will judge the artwork.

The exhibition will be displayed from Feb. 2-28.

"The NCLAC is pleased and [excited] to be involved with the school districts in the five parish areas of Bienville, Claiborne, Jackson, Lincoln and Union," Genevieve Ress, administrative assistant to the NCLAC, said.

Lindelle Turner, music coordinator of the Rainbow Covenant Choir at the third annual ecumenical Martin Luther King Jr. Observance, said she agrees with Ress.

"In an effort for the community to play a significant role in this event, the committee was pleased to have the Arts Council join the commemoration," Turner said.

Ress said one previous event was the Arkansas Art Center Artmobile, a mobile art exhibit that was exhibited in Lincoln, Claiborne and Union parishes in 2004.

Turner said Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has impacted lives throughout the world, and especially in this community, in a very special way.

"The MLK student art exhibit will give students the opportunity to hone their artistic abilities and to gain public recognition for their efforts," Ress said.

Turner said the arts council has a history of involving children in various capacities in the arts.

"The Art Council seems like they really have the community in mind and are showing the kids they can make a difference in their community," Arien Williams, a senior political science major, said.

Turner said, "there is no better way to display the talents of children in the community than through music and the visual arts."