The artwork of students across the Heart of Virginia will be on display at the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) during the month of March, representatives from the LCVA confirmed.

The exhibit will officially open March 11 and continue until Sunday, April 8. The opening reception will take place March 11 from 2-4 p.m.

Approximately 47 schools, which include preschools, public schools, private schools and homeschool groups from 11 counties will be represented during the event, Mindy Pierson, school programs educator at LCVA, said.

“This will be a fun time to preview the exhibition and to gather and celebrate the awesome art teachers and young artists from the surrounding counties participating in this years’ exhibition,” Pierson said, who noted that youth art from Prince Edward County Public Schools (PECPS), Fuqua School, Buckingham County Public Schools (BCPS), Cumberland County Public Schools (CUCPS), Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS), The Andy Taylor Center for Early Childhood Development, Full Circle Nature School, Central Virginia Christian School, various homeschooled students and a homeschooled student who took a class through Audrey Sullivan at Red Door 104 in Farmville have participated.

Pierson said that Southside Electric Cooperative sponsored the exhibit.

“Everyone is invited, including the community at large, so participants are encouraged to bring their family and friends to support each other and enjoy the fruits of their efforts,” Pierson said.

Though the artwork throughout the exhibit will vary, Pierson said the front window installation will draw inspiration from the vibrant and awe-inspiring artwork of ancient Egyptian history.

The artwork related to Egyptian history will be done by students at Prince Edward County Elementary School, headed by Art Teachers Brooke Eamigh and Joy Utzinger.

Utzinger said nearly 900 students at the elementary school took part in creating the artwork.

“Ms. Eamigh and I chose Ancient Egypt as a theme because the topic gives us so many opportunities to connect art with history, social studies, geography, science, math and more,” Utzinger said. “Students study Egypt as part of their Social Studies Learning and in the art room we have the pleasure of working with this very rich topic as well.”

Utzinger said students’ imagination and creativity will extend to numerous aspects of Ancient Egyptian culture.

“This exhibit features pyramids, The Sphinx, Nile River, papyrus, scarabs, an obelisk, papier mache’ animals, mummies and other group pieces as well as individual artworks by each student,” Utzinger said.

Students on the elementary, middle and high school levels will take part in the exhibit.

Buckingham County High School Art Teacher Jennifer Abruzzo said seven students from the high school will be featured.

“Speaking on behalf of the Buckingham High School, we are excited about participating in this year’s exhibit,” Abruzzo said.