DECATUR — The Alabama Center for the Arts’ annual Youth Art Month celebration is underway featuring 116 works of art by K-12 student artists from Morgan County, Decatur and Hartselle City schools, as well as students from area private schools.

The annual showcase of young talent is categorized by early elementary, elementary, middle school, and high school artists.

The exhibit runs through March 30 in the Alabama Center for the Arts’ Main Gallery and Walking Gallery.

An awards reception is planned at the ACA for Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Youth Art Month encourages support for quality school art programs and promotes art material safety.

Administered by The Council for Art Education, the program helps children of all ages develop problem-solving, observation, and communication skills while enhancing their creativity.

Sponsored by the ACA and the Carnegie Visual Arts Center, artist awards will be given by Daybreak Rotary Club of Decatur.

The Carnegie provides educational and cultural opportunities to the Decatur area and strives to encourage greater involvement in art at all levels and ages.