Greenup County school districts have strong art programs but lack connection with each other and with the communities where they are located. When compared to the numerous activities that are organized by the Kentucky Music Teachers Association, public school art teachers have few avenues to showcase student work outside their school buildings. High school art teachers and students participate in art shows at local colleges, but elementary and middle school students rarely get to see their work alongside that of their peers from neighboring districts in the county. For this reason, Greenup Arts organized the Greenup All-County Art Show for students in grades K-12 in 2018. 

With our event partner, the Greenup County Library, a memorial award was established in 2019. This addition began the Lucy Rayburn Wood Memorial All-County Art Show. It featured teacher-submitted artwork from every school in Greenup County: six elementary schools, four middle schools, and three high schools. 2019 was the second year of the event that also added a community artist category. The category winners were presented with a plaque and a gift card to a local art supply store, along with a teacher award with the same prizes, during assemblies at each school. Russell Primary School Art Teacher, Leah Foudray said, “Our winning student is very talented and also very quiet. She has never received this kind of recognition before. She is very excited and I believe that it will change her life for the better!”   

This event brings the art teachers together to communicate and support each other, connects community artists to the schools, provides the opportunity for student and teacher recognition, and promotes parent support of student talent. 200+ people viewed the art show at the Greenbo Lodge and the Greenup Library, downtown. All teachers and event partners plan to continue this program.