Big things are happening at the Window on a Wider World (WOWW), with a new executive director and an upcoming annual exhibit.

The 10th Annual WOWW Youth Art Show will be held at Arts in the Sunset, located at 3701 Plains Blvd., beginning on Monday, Nov. 13, with the awards ceremony scheduled to be held on Saturday, Nov. 18. This year’s theme is “iconic”.

All Texas Panhandle students grades 4th-12th are encouraged to participate; there is no entry fee. All winners will receive a cash prize and have their artwork displayed at Arts in the Sunset for the public exhibition.

“The WOWW Youth Art Show was created to ignite a passion for the arts in students across the Texas Panhandle. Elementary and secondary students will share their artistic talents with the public, realize their potential to become an artist, and will meet other students who also share their creative and imaginative talent,” an announcement reads. “By participating in the WOWW Youth Art Show, students receive hands-on experiential learning allowing them to create the cultural landscape of their community.”

The Youth Art Show also gives families from small rural towns the opportunity to visit the Arts at Sunset Center for a formal exhibit. Parents and grandparents love seeing their student’s artwork and being part of the arts culture in the community. Last fall, 39 schools participated, with more than 500 families traveling to Amarillo for the art exhibit.

The artwork on display represents the talent of students throughout the Texas Panhandle region. More than half the school districts within Region 16 have no visual arts program. WOWW is “filling the gap” by offering a juried art show annually. All Texas Panhandle students are encouraged to participate.

This art competition is not affiliated with Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL).

WOWW Board of Directors welcomes Mary Bralley as new executive director

Mary Bralley has been named the new executive director at Window on a Wider World. Bralley’s background in the for-profit and non-profit communities, combined with her deep passion for promoting engaging educational programs for students in our region, will allow the organization to continue the mission of enriching the education of Texas Panhandle students through arts, science, and cultural experiences, according to a news release.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mary as our new Executive Director,” Dr. Brigette Whaley, WOWW Board of Directors President, said in the release. “She will bring experience, enthusiasm, great communication skills, and knowledge of the schools in our surrounding communities to our organization.”

“Serving middle school and high school districts in our region with educational opportunities has been an amazing journey. I am excited to also include elementary schools in my involvement and really make a difference for students at a young age,” Bralley said.

For more information on the organization and upcoming youth art show, visit https://www.woww.org/ .