There is definitely something youthful about the artwork displayed in N.C. Central University’s art museum this month.

“Durham’s Finest” is the 27th annual exhibition which features student work from several Durham public schools

Each school contributes 4 exceptional works to provide the museum with a total of 229 pieces.

The January 7 opening of the showcase attracted a record crowd of 600 students, parents, and faculty.

Not only was artwork displayed on the walls of the museum, but music in the art form was also presented.

The String Ensemble from the Durham School of the Arts had an opportunity to perform through the entire opening night of the exhibition.

“Each year it gets better and better,” says Art Museum Director Kenneth Rodgers.

The wide assortment of creations include styles from abstract to representational work, pencil to crayon, watercolor to oil, and 2-3 dimensional ceramics.

In more forms of art, fine wire sculpture and paper machete were also included.

Mary Casey, director of K-12 arts education for Durham Public Schools, told The Durham News that “Having their work shown in a museum setting, like real artists, shows how we value our students’ artwork.”

The Museum Board of Directors chose three works from each school level, rewarded the winners with a blue ribbon and gave them the option of selling the art to NCCU’s Art Museum.

The winning works selected were “Still Life” by Victoria Pittman, an 11th grader at Southern High School; “Zebra Etching” by Cristina Jackson, eighth grader at Githens Middle School and “New York City 2005” by Tamia Lorraine Haddock, a fourth grader at Club Blvd Humanities Magnet Elementary School.