Brian Ayers Memorial Art Exhibition seeks entries

The Brian Ayers Memorial Art Exhibition, a national exhibition of artwork by children with learning disabilities, seeks entries from local artists ages 7-21, for its upcoming exhibition at Boone Mall, beginning July 10.

Twenty artists whose works show exceptional artistic ability will receive $50 awards courtesy of Boone Mall, sponsor of the exhibition. Artists from the local area are also eligible to receive one of the 10 $25 local awards. Artists who sell their artwork will receive 100 percent of the purchase price.

The entry deadline is July 1. There is no entry fee. Entry forms are available at the exhibition's website, http://www.LDArt.org.

Meredith Golden, Boone Mall manager, coordinates the exhibition.

"Boone Mall is pleased to sponsor the Brian Ayers Memorial Art Exhibition again this year," she said. "It brings the center court of the mall to life in mid-summer and is a wonderful addition to our community. The talent of these young folks is amazing. We hope lots of young people with learning disabilities from our area will decide to enter artwork this year."

Children with learning disabilities are of average or above average intelligence, but often have difficulty mastering one or more aspects of their schoolwork, most frequently writing and spelling. The Brian Ayers Memorial Art Exhibition celebrates these children's unusual artistic ability.

The exhibition is a memorial to the late Brian Ayers, who attended school in Avery and Watauga counties. Ayers was a talented artist who had extreme difficulty with spelling. He died of an alcohol overdose at the age of 19 in 1994.

Entries accompanied by completed entry forms may be dropped off at the Boone Mall office. Contact Meredith Golden at (828) 264-7286 if you have questions about submitting artwork or would like to receive an entry form.