Two area youth art exhibits will merge this year, providing a richer experience for the participating art students and a simplified opportunity for area art teachers, organizers said. The enhanced exhibit will open March 24 at the LaGrange Art Museum and run through March 30.

The annual Kiwanis Art Show and the LaGrange Art Museum’s Creative Youth Art League Exhibit have historically been held in the spring. The leaders of both organizations began discussions more than a year ago about “the positive synergy that could come from one, stronger exhibit,” organizers said.

Area art teachers were often challenged with trying to participate in both exhibits during a short time frame. Pooling volunteer and monetary resources also figured prominently in the decision.

“The Kiwanis Club and the LaGrange Art Museum will continue to encourage young artists and stand up for the importance of art education in our schools, “said Joyce Ellis-Johnson, president of Kiwanis LaGrange chapter.

LaGrange Art Museum Director Karen Anne Briggs said that the move is directly in keeping with the museum’s expanded role as a facilitator in the development of a cultural identity within the next generation.

“As county schools have endured budget cuts to balance shrinking budgets and reduced access to art education, the museum sees its role as essential in helping to provide arts education to all students through increased exposure to arts and arts education,” Briggs said.

Elementary, middle and high school art teachers in Troup County’s public and private schools will select art for the exhibit. The counties within the service area of the LaGrange Art Museum — Heard, Meriwether and Harris in Georgia and Chambers County in Alabama — will submit art from the private and public middle and high schools only. Home school students also are invited to participate.

The participating students will experience an opening reception and see their work displayed in a museum setting. Further information is available by contacting LaGrange Art Museum at 706-882-3267.