From Jan. 17 to 24 the artwork of more than 1,500 local school children will be displayed at Citadel Mall as part of the fifth annual Happy Halls Art Contest, sponsored by MUSC Children's Health System and Charleston Memorial Hospital (CMH).

Children from 32 area elementary, middle and high schools submitted the artwork.

While on display at the mall, their entries will be judged by members of the Charleston Artists' Guild, who will select 416 pieces of artwork to be matted, framed and exhibited at either MUSC Children's Hospital lobby, MUSC Pediatric Emergency Room, MUSC University Diagnostic Center Pediatric Primary Care Clinic, MUSC Rutledge Tower Pediatric Clinics or Charleston Memorial Hopsital. At each grade level four first place winners, eight second place winners and 20 third place winners will be selected.

In March, the artwork will be unveiled at MUSC and CMH, and each participant will receive a cash prize.

The two schools with the highest percentage of selected entries will each receive $200.

Schools with students participating in the contest are: Abundant Life Christian Academy, Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary, Ashley Hall, Dunston Elementary, Discovery School, Fraser Elementary, Ft. Johnson Middle, Hursey Elementary, James B. Edwards Elementary, James Island Middle, James Simons Elementary, Jane Edwards Elementary, Ladson Elementary, Midland Park Elementary, Minnie Hughes Elementary, Montessori Community School, Mt. Zion Elementary, Murray La Saine Elementary, Nativity School, North Charleston High, Oakland Elementary, Orange Grove Elementary, Porter-Gaud, Rivers Middle School, Ronald E. McNair Elementary, Sanders-Clyde Elementary, Septima P. Clark Academy, St. Andrews Elementary, St. James-Santee Elementary, Stiles Point Elementary and Whitesides Elementary.