Youth Art Month is coming to WCU
This article features an event that occurred in the past.
Western Carolina University will host the annual Youth Art Month exhibit from Friday, March 5, through Sunday, March 21, in Room 150 of the Fine and Performing Arts Center.
An estimated 600 pieces of art from eight schools in Jackson County will be on display in the art exhibit. A reception will be held from 1 until 3 p.m. Sunday, March 21. The event is free and open to the public.
The month of March is nationally recognized as Youth Art Month. Across the nation, artwork from students in kindergarten through 12th grade will be displayed at prominent but accessible venues, said Erin Tapley, associate professor of art.
“At WCU, we celebrate the work of students in Jackson County. Approximately eight pieces per year are framed and collected by the WCU College of Education and Allied Professions for a permanent collection housed in the Killian Building, Jackson County’s Board of Education and, as of this year, Reid Gymnasium,” Tapley said.
“The focus of Youth Art Month is to convey the message that art education develops self-esteem, visual literacy and an ability to produce meaningful material form. This show honors the creative efforts of these students, as well as the assistance of their art teachers,” she said.
The March 21 reception will feature a table where attendees can create a “fundred dollar bill” to contribute to a nationwide effort highlighting the issue of lead-contaminated soil in New Orleans. Organizers of the Fundred Dollar Bill Project plan to deliver 3 million bills to Washington this year and will request an even exchange of money and services from Congress to support solutions to lead-related health and quality-of-life issues challenging New Orleans. WCU is an official fundred pickup location, with a stop planned for Friday, April 16.
Youth Art Month is sponsored by the WCU Art Education Club, School of Art and Design, WCU Fine Art Museum, College of Fine and Performing Arts, College of Education and Allied Professions, and Jackson County Arts Council. Support also is provided by off-campus sponsors including Jackson Paper of Sylva, Country Framer of Cullowhee, Zaxby’s, and Arby’s of Sylva.
For more information, contact Tapley at 828-227-3598 or at etapley@wcu.edu.
