Hughston Foundation Eighth Annual Art Gala

Event Information

Join us for the eighth annual Art Gala Competition & Exhibition!

Download the 2025 Submission Form.
Submission deadline Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

Important information: The artwork submission date is Wednesday, October 22^nd, and the Exhibition will take place at the Foundation on Thursday, November 13^th at 7:00 pm. We are anticipating the show to be hanging from October 28th through November 21st for people to stop by and see the artwork. Similar to last year, we are planning to have the Gala live via Zoom. Email invitations will be sent a week prior to the exhibition to the winners to encourage in-person attendance to receive their award.

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Scholarship Information

STEAM Awards

The Hughston Clinic proudly supports the top six STEAM Awards with a total of $5,000. The Hughston Clinic has generously supported the Foundation’s Art Gala to encourage Georgia’s middle and high school students to pursue their interests in the arts and sciences. The Hughston Clinic’s mission is grounded in research and education. Medical illustration plays a crucial role in advancing this mission through patient care, public relations, and marketing efforts.

 

Careers in Medicine Award

A maximum of 4 cash awards, totaling $1,000 in scholarships, will be presented to students whose artwork showcases a medical career. This award is sponsored by the Georgia Healthcare Science Technology Education Foundation (GAHSTEF), which aims to uphold high standards of education and training in Georgia’s high school and middle school Healthcare Science programs by providing resources, opportunities, and support to students and teachers. Their goal is to collaborate with the Georgia Department of Education, other organizations, and healthcare-related businesses and industries to achieve this objective.

 

Champ L. Baker, Jr., MD – Best Anatomical Award
The late Dr. Champ Baker was a copious supporter of the Hughston Foundation, serving on the board for several decades. Dr. Baker and his wife, Sue Anne, support the local arts community. The Champ Baker Best Anatomical Award, a $500 cash prize, is presented to the student(s) whose artwork is selected by Dr. Baker’s family as the best representation of a medical-related subject matter.

 

David C. Rehak, MD – Best Hand-Picked Award
David C. Rehak, MD, a renowned hand, wrist, and upper extremity surgeon, is a diverse supporter of the Hughston Foundation and the Art Gala. As a former Editor-in-Chief of the Hughston Health Alert, he became adept at working with medical illustrators. Dr. Rehak’s Best Hand-Picked Award is a $250 cash prize for the best work of artwork depicting the elbow, forearm, wrist, and/or hand using any medium. The winning pieces will be displayed in his office at the Hughston Clinic, where he treats his patients.

 

The Gayle Woessner – Sports Medicine Award
Specializing in sports medicine and concussion management, Derek A. Woessner, MD, FAAFP, brings a unique artistic category to the Art Gala in memory of his mom, Gayle, who was an avid tennis player in Columbus and a supporter of the arts. Dr. Woessner’s Sports Medicine prize of $250 is presented to the student whose artwork is selected by Dr. Woessner as the best representation of the body in motion.

 

Hughston Mental Health Awareness Award
Specializing in sports medicine and concussion management, Derek A. Woessner, MD, FAAFP, raises awareness about mental health. The Hughston Mental Health Awareness Prize of $250 is awarded to a single student whose artwork best depicts concussion or mental health issues.

 

Columbus State University’s Department of Art is proud to partner with The Hughston Foundation to provide a scholarship of $1,000 to the student who shows excellence in the fine arts or medical sciences. The Columbus State University scholarship will be awarded to the high school junior or senior who was selected as a winner. The award will be divided over the first 2 semesters of full-time enrollment. The student must qualify for admission to CSU, remain in good academic standing, and be enrolled at CSU with a major or minor in Art, Biology, Kinesiology, or Health Sciences.

 

Honorary Media Prize Awards
Recognition is given for both middle and high school levels for each of the media categories.

 

Best in Show Prize | Sponsored by: Bo Bartlett Center
The top, middle, and high school students who win the online popular vote will have their artwork displayed at the Bo Bartlett Center (921 Front Ave, Columbus, GA 31901) for about a month. An opening event will be held at the Bo Bartlett Center on Wednesday, January 14th, starting at 5:30 pm (EST) to honor these students. Everyone is welcome to attend this special opening. Please RSVP to Belinda Klein at bklein@hughston.com or 706-494-3326.

 

The Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital

proudly supports the Best in Show winners with a $500 award. Hughston Hospital has generously sponsored the Foundation’s Art Gala to encourage Georgia’s middle and high school students to explore the arts and sciences, fostering their interest in health careers. A selection of top art submissions from past competitions is displayed in the hospital lobby.

 

Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital is committed to providing the highest quality patient care. The hospital has been ranked in the top 10% nationwide for orthopaedic and joint replacement care. Additionally, for twelve consecutive years (2012-2024), it has been listed among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopaedic Surgery and Joint Replacement. Healthgrades has also recognized it as being in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for overall orthopedic services and joint replacement.