Two Opportunities to Show Off Our Young Artists

Coming up VERY QUICKLY is the ELEMENTARY LIBRARY SHOW for the 2009-2010 School Year. It is a part of our celebration of the Arts during Youth Art Month (YAM), even though, this year it will be up April 1st (not an April Fools joke :-). On that planning day, art teachers from around the county will be installing this show at several libraries around the county, with beautiful works of art from their schools. Chets Creek's work will be displayed at the Pablo Creek Library for about two weeks after instillation. Make sure to go visit the Library and see the exquisit work by our students.

The second opportunity we have is the FAEA (Florida Art Education Association) Digital Student Art Show. For this show, student artwork is photographed and sent in to be JURIED. Our Chets Creek Cultural Arts Committee will pay the $5.00 per work entry fee required for these entries. Once Selections are made for the show, a digital powerpoint is produced that is shown during the FAEA Conference in the Fall AND to tour Florida for a year. From these piece, jurors also choose certain works for special awards. We have had the opportunity to send in several pieces for this show. Good luck to all students whose work was entered.

What Color is our Future?

An interesting question with the current conversations in our State Senate and House of Representatives. What color will our future be?????? It might be bleak in shades of gray as our students will be without much that they need in their immediate future. With more and more money, time and talent being pulled away from education, and that I mean a WELL ROUNDED, COMPLETE, education, our children have very little to look forward to in terms of jobs, income, and ability to survive, much less succeed, in the years to come. NOW IS THE TIME TO BEGIN CONTACTING YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!!!! After all, they ARE supposed to represent you.

It is also vitally important, that to survive in the 21st century, that students be well able to create, to make connections, to discover needs and to invent. This comes from using the creative side of the brain that helps us to see the big picture. These abilities are taught and experienced in the Arts. They are not a frill or fluff. They are essential to the education of our students. MAKE SURE OUR DECISION MAKERS, who, in many cases are NOT educators, know that the arts must remain a vital part of our students education.

What is YAM???????????

What is YAM, you ask??? Why it is Youth Art Month and it happens every March. This is the month where we celebrate the arts and the impact it has on our children, our students, our schools, and our community. According to the Council for Art Education, the purpose is....

1. To direct attention to the value of art education which develops divergent and critical thinking; multicultural awareness, and technical communication, and expressive skills.

2. To increase community, business and governmental support for art education.

3. To recognize art is a necessity for the full development of better quality life for all people.

4. To expand art programs in schools and stimulate new ones.

5. To increase community understanding and interest in art and art education through involvement in art exhibits, workshops, and other creative ventures.

6. To provide additional opportunities for individuals of all ages to participate in creative art learning.

7. To encourage commitment to the arts by students, community organizations, and individuals everywhere.

8. To recognize art education as a viable component in the total education curricula that develops citizens of a global society.

9. To reflect and demonstrate the goals of the National Art Education Association that work toward the improvement of art education at all levels.

If you have not stopped by Chets Creek and walked our upstairs gallery, then you are in for a treat, as we have displayed spectacular works by our students for all viewers to enjoy.