'Oh, the Places You'll Go!' Exhibit to Open in Roswell

Finalists with art school dreams in the "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" College Scholarship Challenge hope to hear these iconic words for themselves: "Congratulations, Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places. You’re off and away!"

But first, local residents will get a peek at the original works by students, as well as a few new pieces from the Dr. Seuss collection at Ann Jackson Gallery in Roswell, March 2-15.

Sponsored by Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children's Books, the contest will feature the works of finalists - including one from Alpharetta - in fine art galleries around the country. Ann Jackson Gallery was selected by contest organizers to be one of just 15 galleries in North America to host the exhibit.

"We are honored and excited to showcase the art of these young artists along with the art of Dr. Seuss," Aaron Frye, with Ann Jackson Gallery, told Roswell Patch. "Theodor 'Dr. Seuss' Geisel has always been a champion of literacy, creativity and education and we are proud to be a part of his legacy."

Contest applicants were asked to create an original piece of artwork based on the message of Dr. Seuss’s best-selling book "Oh, the Places You’ll Go!," which was an immediate sensation upon its publication during 1990. Since then, the book has since sold over 10 million copies.

“Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss) was a big supporter of education and as such we are proud to offer a scholarship program that encourages children to express and share their works of art”, said Susan Brandt, president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, in a written statement.

Entries were narrowed down to 139 finalists, whose art will be on display on Facebook and at the Ann Jackson Gallery next week.

A panel of jurors, including Audrey Geisel - Dr. Seuss’s widow and CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises - and legendary pop artist Peter Max, will judge the finalists. But, this year, organizers are asking for help in choosing the winners by allowing online voting and free entry to participating galleries, where the public also has the ability to cast a vote.

The contest will offer a $10,000 scholarship toward post-secondary education to one of the finalists. But, intertwined with the scholarship contest, is the Community Artwork Contest, which will award a limited edition framed canvas of "Raising Money for the Arts," valued at $2095; as well as a framed limited edition print of "Oh, the Places You’ll Go!" valued at $525 each, to the runners-up.

Ann Jackson Gallery will host a special opening reception, Saturday, March 3 from noon until 5 p.m. Winners will be announced on April 24.