Hughston Foundation Third 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.

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 continue their interests in arts and sciences. The Hughston’s mission is based upon research and education. Medical illustration plays a vital role in helping to carryout this mission through patient care, public relations, and marketing efforts.

 

Careers in Medicine Award

A maximum of 2 cash awards are presented for a total of $500 scholarship(s) to student(s) who recognize a medical career in their artwork. This award is sponsored by Georgia Healthcare Science Technology Education Foundation (GAHSTEF) who’s objective is to support the 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 partner with the Georgia Department of Education and other organizations and healthcare related business and industry to help meet 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. While serving as the 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 art featuring the elbow, forearm, wrist and/or hand using any medium. The winning art will be displayed in his office in 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 on behalf of his mom, Gayle, who was an avid tennis player in Columbus and 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, brings awareness to mental health. Hughston’s Mental Health Awareness prize of $250 is presented to a single student whose artwork best represents concussion or mental health.

 


Columbus State University’s Department of Art is proud to partner with The Hughston Foundation to provide a scholarship in the amount 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 must enroll 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 approximately a month. An opening will be held at the Bo Bartlett Center on Thursday, January 30th starting at 6:00 pm (EST) to recognize these students. Everyone is invited 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. The Hughston Hospital has generously supported the Foundation’s Art Gala to encourage Georgia’s middle and high school students to explore arts and sciences to further their interest in health careers.

Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital strives to deliver the highest quality patient care. The hospital has been ranked in the top 10% nationwide for both orthopaedic and joint replacement care. Furthermore, for twelve years in a row (2012-2024), it has not only been listed among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopaedic Surgery and Joint Replacement, but has also been included by Healthgrades in the top 5% of hospitals in the nation for overall orthopedic services and joint replacement.