February 12, 2026

Julia Hankins has been shaping minds through art for 19 years at ECCS by focusing on truth, beauty, and goodness. She is an amazing art teacher, but she’s also an amazing artist herself. 

One of her recent pieces was selected to be part of the Robin Nance Metz Art Competition (formerly Adult Juried Art Exhibit), which is sponsored by the Shelby County Arts Council and its partners. This juried art exhibit is open to all Alabama residents 18 years old and up, and includes art work in categories, such as drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, digital art, and more.

Mrs. Hankins’ piece is a painting of her goddaughter, Felicity Callender, daughter of ECCS teacher Eric Callender and his wife, Elsie. The painting is titled Felicity's Fortress, and it is rich with symbolism and meaning.

“She is shown with her blanket, book, and toy, looking out at the viewer. She is temporarily comforted by the physical things around her, but truly and quietly comforted and protected by Christ who is symbolized by the dogwood standing behind her, wrapping around in front of her heart,” Mrs. Hankins says. “I pray God's protection over her as in the hymn, ‘St. Patrick's Breastplate’: Christ be with [her], Christ with­in [her], Christ be­hind [her], Christ be­fore [her], Christ be­side [her], Christ to win [her], Christ to com­fort and re­store [her]."

This beautiful piece of art work will be on display as part of the show at the Shelby County Arts Council in Columbiana until March 1st, 2026.