Photo Caption: Artwork by Maverick Lyon, First Grade at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School

(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Jan. 8, 2016) - - - Columbia State Community College's Pryor Art Gallery will feature the artwork of Maury County elementary school students beginning Feb. 16. An artists' reception takes place that evening from 5 - 7 p.m.

"Children and creativity blossom when supported and encouraged. What better way to support the arts but where creativity begins - in childhood," said Michele Wilkinson, Pryor Art Gallery curator. "The exhibits are gatherings to celebrate our children and the beautiful work they have created with the support of their teachers, parents and community."

Art teachers from all over Maury County have been asked to submit their students' best work to be exhibited for the community to appreciate.

The exhibit will run through March 1, and parents, family and friends of the students are invited to attend the reception.

For detailed information related to the exhibit, please contact Wilkinson at 931.540.2883 or mwilkinson2@ColumbiaState.edu.

The Pryor Art Gallery is in the Waymon L. Hickman Building on the Columbia Campus, located at 1665 Hampshire Pike. The gallery is open and free to the public Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/PryorGallery for additional information.

Photo Caption: Sloan McLoskey, Marvin Wright Elementary

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, one of the largest higher education systems in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.

Tennessee's Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.