Colorful pieces of artwork created by artists from Opelika City Schools were displayed in two branches of BancorpSouth.
The art was displayed Nov. 9 through yesterday.
The artists' works range from kindergarten mosaics and pictures of pumpkins to seniors who received scholarships for their pencil drawings and painting.
"Some of the work that has come out of Opelika City Schools is just amazing," said Elizabeth Smith-Baca, marketing officer and coordinator of the exhibit.
The bank began hosting local students' artwork last year.
It showcases artwork created by students each fall and spring.
The main branch on Seventh Street in Opelika displayed 116 pieces.
Smith said the Pepperell Corners location featured approximately 30 pieces of art.
"We're showing off the Opelika School System," said Robert Williams, Bancorp South's division president.
The first wave of artwork in the fall is produced primarily by younger artists in the elementary and junior high schools.
In the spring, when the more complex pieces are complete, the bank shows off the more advanced work created by high school students.
"It's a good way for us to display our kids' artwork," said Becky Brown, public relations coordinator for Opelika City Schools. "Our goal is to show the community what the students are learning."
Conway said the limited number of venues where art can displayed in the area is part of the reason why they chose the bank.
Conway said the bank is a great place for the students and their work to gain exposure in a public forum.
"We have exhibits in the schools, but there's not a lot of traffic in them," Brown said. "The bank is great from an exposure standpoint."
Not only does the bank help the students gain exposure as some of the works are purchased, the students also help the bank.
"The banking industry is a very competitive market," Smith said. "We thought it would be an outlet for us to put Bancorp's name out there by working with the community."
The bank tries to make customers feel welcome and comfortable by building a relationship with residents in the area.
The artwork draws customers in and gives a level of comfort by showing the bank's commitment and involvement to the community.
"We do a lot of things to get you out of the bank with ATMs and Internet banking, but this is a way to get people in the bank," Williams said. "You can't see expressions and you can't feel emotions over the phone or Internet, but face-to-face you can. You can't replace that."
Displaying art created by local students is one way Bancorp reaches out the community and support the arts programs.
"It's about going back to basic," Smith said. "We are a hometown. We're reaching out to the community and wanting to be a part of it."
Bancorp and Opelika City Schools also want to reach out to Auburn's campus.
"We want to encourage Auburn students to step out and look beyond the University," Brown said. "Keep your ears and eyes open, because there's always something going on."
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