FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2024
Contact: Jackie Ferlito, [email protected]
Youth Art Month Multi-Site Exhibition returns to Waterville Creates and Greene Block + Studios
WATERVILLE, Maine—Ticonic Gallery, a division of Waterville Creates, is delighted to partner with Greene Block + Studios to celebrate Youth Art Month (YAM) with a spectacular, multi-site exhibition of artwork by local students in grades K–12. The 10th annual YAM exhibition will be on view at both locations March 1–31, with an opening reception on March 1 from 3–7pm in conjunction with downtown Waterville’s First Friday event. Sponsored by Allen Insurance, Colby College Museum of Art, Kennebec Savings Bank, Morning Sentinel and Kennebec Journal, and the City of Waterville, this year’s YAM exhibition will include the work of youth artists from 32 participating area schools.
Established in 1961, YAM is a national initiative spearheaded by the Council for Art Education and designed to emphasize the value of art education for all children and to encourage support for quality school art programs. Featuring works in a variety of media, including painting, digital art, pottery, and photography, YAM is an opportunity for students to showcase their work in a gallery setting and share their achievements with their families and their community. This year’s YAM theme is “Dream in Art.”
On view at Waterville Creates will be the artwork of students K–5. During the opening reception on March 1, suggested hours of viewing for grades K–3 are 3–5:30pm and grades 4–5 from 5:30–7pm. On view at Greene Block + Studios will be the artwork of grades 6–12. During First Friday, the Children’s Discovery Museum will bring their Mobile Museum Exhibits to the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, and Greene Block + Studios will host open studios with the Lunder Institute for American Art.
“Celebrating its 10th year, our Youth Art Month exhibition has over 32 participating schools from Athens to Manchester. Thanks to our ongoing partnership with Colby Arts and Greene Block + Studios this exhibition has grown exponentially, making it one of the largest displays of K-12 student artwork in the state. One of my favorite parts of this show is seeing the participating students dressed up, celebrating with their families as they enter the gallery to see their work on display,” says Exhibitions Coordinator, Marie Sugden.
Located at 93 Main Street in the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, Ticonic Gallery is free and open to the public Wednesdays–Mondays, 11am–7pm. For the duration of Youth Art Month, Greene Block + Studios, located at 18 Main Street, is also open to the public Wednesdays–Mondays, 11am–7pm. For more information on YAM, please visit the Ticonic Gallery exhibitions page; for information about the Youth Arts Access Fund, including a link to donate, visit the Waterville Creates’ website.
YAM 2024 participating schools: Albert S. Hall School, Athens Community School, Bloomfield Elementary School, Canaan Elementary School, George J. Mitchell School, Kennebec Montessori School, Lincoln Elementary School, Madison Elementary School, Madison Junior Senior High School, Main Street Middle School, Manchester Elementary School, Maranacook Community Middle School, Margaret Chase Smith School, Messalonskee High School, Mount Merici Academy, Mt. Vernon Elementary School, Palermo Consolidated School, Readfield Elementary School, Skowhegan Area High School, Skowhegan Area Middle School, Sylvio Gilbert Elementary School, Vassalboro Community School, Waterville Alternative High School, Waterville Junior High School, Waterville Senior High School, Wayne Elementary School, Whitefield Elementary School, Windsor Elementary School, Winslow Elementary School, Winslow High School, Winslow Junior High School.
About Waterville Creates The mission of Waterville Creates is arts experiences for all. Offering diverse programming for all ages, Waterville Creates is building a thriving, connected, and equitable community through shared experiences in the arts. For more information about Waterville Creates, visit watervillecreates.org.
Pictured: Lily Pads, Crystal Reynolds, 2022, Winslow High School
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