Arkansas State University Museum presented the 36th annual Through a Child’s Eyes exhibition in April 2023.
The juried show included work by children from the region, ranging from four years old through Grade 8.
A competition in which every work remained visible
Judges selected first-, second- and third-place awards for each grade level. An overall winner received the Charlott Jones Best in Show Award, named for a former museum director and art teacher.
Unlike competitions that display only selected finalists, the museum showed every submitted work. This allowed the exhibition to represent the wider range of children’s observation, imagination and technical development rather than only the decisions of the jury.
The annual continuity of the programme also created a record of changing interests and approaches among young artists across the region.
Children’s art beside regional history
Visitors were encouraged to continue into the museum’s main gallery, where hands-on activities and historic objects introduced the culture and history of Northeast Arkansas.
This connection placed the children’s work within a broader institution rather than isolating it in a school setting.
Museum director Michael Reinschmidt described art as a way of lifting the spirit and seeing the world differently. The exhibition’s title made that idea specific: the value of the display came from encountering familiar subjects through the visual decisions of children.
Through a Child’s Eyes combined celebration with public recognition. Awards identified particular achievements, but displaying every entry ensured that participation itself remained visible and respected.