Arts in the Schools: Young Creative Minds

On Friday, March 10, 2017, Gualala Arts will hold an opening reception for its annual Young Creative Minds art exhibit featuring artwork produced throughout the year in local schools. This year’s coordinators, Sigrid Hillscan and Keri VanDeventer, both of the Pacific Community Charter School, have decided that the theme this year will be “Living! Color!”

A remarkable variety of talent and artistic expression will be on display in this pre-school through high school art show. The collection, as always, will be thought provoking, inspirational, and will certainly bring a smile to your face. Join us in celebration for the opening reception Friday, March 10,  at 5 p.m. The show runs through Sunday, April 2.

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

These coastal schools are fortunate to be able to provide art programs that enrich students with time each week to create art. Research shows that art and creativity help children succeed in core curriculum subjects. Continuing to have art programs in our local schools is a huge accomplishment especially considering budget cuts to such programming. The community’s attendance and support are appreciated.

Young artist showcases are often the best place to procure a masterpiece before the artist finds acclaim and prices skyrocket accordingly – “Le Picador” was painted by Pablo Picasso when the artist was 8 years old, and “Landscape Near Figueras” by Salvador Dalí at age 6; or, in today’s school terms, second grade and kindergarten, respectively. Gualala Arts Executive Director David “Sus” Susalla says, “Gualala Arts is proud to honor and encourage young artists in the community with this exhibition, as part of its mission to support and promote public interest and participation in the arts.”