Young Savannah Artists Compete for Top Honors at 25th Annual New Beginning Art Exhibit

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Eighty middle and high school artists from Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools will compete for top honors at the 25th Annual New Beginning Art Exhibit, hosted by the The Links, Incorporated Savannah chapter.

The event begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at the Dr. Otis S. Johnson Cultural Arts Center. Professional artists will serve as jurors, and winners will receive prizes and certificates. For 25 years, the exhibit has highlighted youth creativity across the community. Since 2001, more than 4,500 students have participated, with nearly $30,000 awarded in art resources and prizes.

“We are honored to celebrate 25 years of uplifting student creativity and strengthening our community through the arts,” said chapter president Denise Cooper. The public is invited to meet student winners, educators, and arts leaders, and attend a tribute honoring founding visionaries Frieda McDew-Shorter and Virginia Edwards Maynor, whose partnership helped launch the exhibit.

The award-winning program continues through partnerships with local educators and community organizations. Founded in 1946, The Links is an international public service organization focused on educational, cultural, and civic engagement.