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{image1}Age doesn't matter when it comes to talent. The artistic talent of students as young as 11 years old recently graced the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) during the Annual Scholastic Art Awards Wisconsin Regional Exhibition. The exhibit ran from Jan. 29 to Feb. 26 and offered Milwaukee residents the chance to see what Wisconsin's young artists are made of.

"Each piece represents such a good example of learning and potential," says Helena Ehlke, coordinator of this exhibit.

The MAM has been the showcase for Wisconsin's potential since 1976 and featured 350 works of art created by students in grades 7-12. Competition was intense with over 1,700 entries in 17 artistic categories.

The categories included: animation, ceramics and glass, computer art, apparel design, graphic design, installation/environmental design, jewelry, plans, models and illustrations, product design, digital imagery, drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and video and film.

"This competition shares a level of quality that is important for people to see," says Ehlke. "It's important for teachers to see what their students can accomplish. It's important for students to see what they can accomplish."

In addition to the accomplishment of being selected, there are several esteemed awards within the competition. About 225 Silver Key recipients are awarded special state recognition. The remaining 125 Gold Key recipients will be sent to New York for judging on the national level.

Each year, the exhibition also features an alumnus of the competition who has gone on to success in art after winning a Scholastic Art Award. This year's featured alumnus, David Schrupp, graduated from Waukesha South and has done amazing things with pottery.

"The importance of education, specifically art education, is seen through the creative genius of our youngest generation of artists," says Ehlke.