Eli Corder
Eli Corder began taking art in middle school and fell in love with it in high school. His artwork, “Bed Head” was chosen Best in Show at ArtEx, a student art competition which began in 2009.
“Art really interests me because it’s a way I can express myself. I don’t think I have one specific style because I like trying many different things. ‘Bed Head’ is a memorial painting of my childhood dog that passed away before my senior year,” Eli says.
ArtEx, Artistic Excellence, is a juried art competition for high school students in Sullivan County, Tennessee, and Washington County, Virginia. The competition is an opportunity for young artists to showcase their best work and compete for monetary prizes. Over $3,600 was awarded for first, second and third places in eight genres, ranging from acrylic to 3D sculpture. A best-in-show was awarded as well.
Ninety-six entries were exhibited at the Bristol Public Library where the reception and awards ceremony occurred in May. Participating schools were Bristol Tennessee High, Bristol Virginia High, Sullivan East, West Ridge High, Patrick Henry, Abingdon High and Dobyns Bennett.
This year’s juror was Steven Reeves, a professional artist with over 12 years of formal private education in fine art. He earned a BFA degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and has taught painting and drawing for over 20 years.
Eli uses acrylic paints because they are easy to work with. Shawn Graham and Donald Quales, his Tennessee High School art teachers, are his biggest influences.
“Art allows me to escape and express myself,” Eli says.
He is the son of Jeff and Toni Corder and is a recent graduate of Tennessee High School, Bristol, Tennessee. He plans on going to East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, and majoring in art.
To see the work from ArtEx, search for YouTube ArtEx 2025.
