ELKINS — The Randolph County Arts Center’s Student Fall Mountain State Forest Festival Juried Art Exhibition officially opened for the public on Wednesday and will run through Nov. 19 in the Great Hall Gallery.

The annual event is one of the highlights of the Mountain State Forest Festival, as it celebrates creativity and provides an opportunity for professional and emerging artists to share their work in a professional gallery setting.

The exhibition will host an opening reception on Wednesday, Oct. 1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Award winners will be announced during the reception. The juror for this year’s event is Frederick Hays, who reviewed submission through a blind process, focusing on originality, quality and professional presentation.

“We believe that exhibitions like this not only honor the work of our artists, but also make the arts alive and available to the community as a whole,” said Randolph County Arts Center Executive Director Dani Cade. “Every artist who participates helps strengthen the cultural fabric of West Virginia.”

Artists taking part in this year’s exhibition include: Stella Gregory, Sara Kirk, Korey Burns, Pam Roberts, Tammy Copeman, Robyn Hepler, Brad Basil, Macie Higgins, Marjory Moses, Emily Adams, Katherine Crim, Debi Eastep, John Terry, Emilee Goodman, David Phillips, Lou Tillson, Whilemina McWhorter, Carolyn Light, Jesse Zirkle, Melanie Campbell, Tessa Garver-Daniels, Linda Elmer, Teresa Mason, Rose Bell, Alexandra Sawyer, Daniel Engstrom, Dylan Basil, Jeannine Romano, Julie Weiford, Kevin M. Woodcock, Linda Walker Roberts, Maggi Rhudy and Natasha Evans.

Schools represented include: Elkins High School, Robert C. Byrd, Buckhannon-Upshur High School and Middle School, Hurricane Middle School, Hurricane Town Elementary, and Lincoln High School. Homeschooled children will also be among the participants.

The Randolph County Arts Center has partnered with the Seneca Trail Artist Guild to present the exhibition. Jodie Parrack State Farm, Emma Scott Garden Club, Kiwanis Club of Elkins, Davis Trust Company, and West Virginia Watercolor Society contributed to the event.

For more information on the exhibition visit the Arts Center’s Facebook page or go to www.randolpharts.org.