Arts in the Schools: Young Creative Minds

The Mendocino / Sonoma “Arts in the Schools” program represents over 600 students from Fort Ross, Kashia, Horicon, Arena, Point Arena High School, Home Study, Pacific Community Charter School and Manchester schools.

Gualala Arts continues to support the young artists in our coastal community with its annual Young Creative Minds art exhibit. Each year in March Gualala Arts features artwork created throughout the year in these local elementary and high schools in the Gualala Arts Center Jacob Foyer and Burnett Gallery. This is just one more way that Gualala Arts supports and promotes public interest and participation in the arts.

There are schools here on the coast that fortunately still have an art program where students spend part of each week in an art room. This is a huge accomplishment considering budget cuts, even though research shows that art and creativity help children succeed in the core curriculum subjects.

Each of our local schools approach art in their own unique way. Often it depends on the classroom teacher’s talents and how they find ways to blend a creative project into the curriculum. Local Art teachers Jan Henley, Arena Elementary, and Sarah Meyers, Pacific Charter will display works created by their students. Also featured will be samples of classroom projects from the talented teachers of Manchester and Horicon. There may even be pieces from Kashia and Fort Ross students.

There is an amazing amount of variety and talent in our Pre-School to High School art show. It is a collection that is thought provoking, inspirational, and will certainly bring a smile to your face. Come and help us celebrate at the opening reception on Friday, March 13 at 5:00 p.m.