ACS - It has been an exceptional time of the year for ACS art programs as students from Thompson Middle School and Thompson High School continue to capture local, state, and regional awards.
Senior Harper Sandlin continues to stand out across multiple categories.
Sandlin was recently honored at the 2025 State Superintendent's Visual Arts Exhibit Awards Program, where she placed 2nd in her category. The ceremony, held at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and hosted by the Alabama Department of Education, featured State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey presenting awards to winners. Sandlin was joined by her district representative, Kelly Mooney, as she received her accolade.
Sandlin's success continued at the 2025 Alabama High School Juried Art Show hosted by the Shelby County Arts Council. She joins classmates Emma Claire Lamar and Noah Bruce, who have exceptional artwork scheduled for exhibition. Awards for this show will be announced on April 27. THS art teacher Michelle McGraw teaches all three.
Sandlin’s work is also featured in the Visual Arts Achievement Program, sponsored by the Alabama State Council on the Arts. This regional competition, hosted by the University of Montevallo, brings together top student artists, with first-place winners advancing to compete at the state level virtually.
THS students performed exceptionally well in this competition:
- Emma Claire Lamar won 1st place in Painting.
- Harper Sandlin won 1st place in Mixed Media.
- Oswin Colley earned Honorable Mention in Mixed Media.
Students at Thompson Middle School (TMS), under the guidance of art instructor Clarie Caldwell, continue to earn well-deserved recognition for their artistic talents. Eighth-grader Kaia McClain received an Honorable Mention at the State Superintendent’s Visual Arts Achievement Awards, showcasing the remarkable creativity emerging from TMS.
Joining McClain, fellow TMS art students Jocelyne Argueta and Alexa Gonzalez have been selected for the prestigious Virtual Art Competition of Alabama. This statewide digital showcase highlights exceptional student artwork, offering these young artists a platform for broader recognition.