Student-created art Southern Alleghenies museums showcasing 21st-century artists
Jan. 28—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — This exhibition is giving the next generation of artists a chance to showcase their works in three regional museums.
Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art is continuing its tradition of recognizing the area's youth with "Artists of the 21st Century," the museum's annual student exhibition.
Hundreds of pieces will be featured in an exhibition that will continue through April 7 at SAMA-Altoona, 1210 11th Ave., Altoona; Friday through April 14 at SAMA-Bedford, located in the Anderson House, 137 E. Pitt St., Bedford; and Feb. 16 through April 21 at SAMA-Ligonier Valley, 1 Boucher Lane, Ligonier.
Celebration of art
Kristin Miller, SAMA- Ligonier's site director and SAMA's education coordinator, said the exhibition is a celebration of student art.
"We highlight the students in our six-county region, and it shows people what is happening in the classroom," she said.
"It's anywhere from pre-kindergarten to the 12th grade, and it's all levels. It's a celebration of the arts and a celebration on what the students are able to share and express themselves and their creativity."
Miller said the quality of the work is impressive.
'New and delightful'
"Every year, I see something new and delightful," she said.
"You're not just seeing the creativity of the students, but also the creativity of the teachers. The teachers are instigating and opening the doors for their students to be dynamic, and are highlighting the potential."
The teacher-selected exhibition features pastels, oils, watercolors, acrylics, ceramics, jewelry, 3-D and mirror works, charcoal drawings and mixed media.
"Anything you can possibly imagine, you're going to see," Miller said. "You'll see things very much outside the box."
Held in conjunction with National Youth Art Month and the state's Arts-in-Education Month, the exhibition is open to schools that participate in SAMA's arts-in-education or artist-in-residence programs.
Through the programs, SAMA educators and professional artists travel to public and parochial schools to provide lessons designed to enhance students' understanding of art creation, technique, history, criticism and aesthetics.
Expanding curriculum
"The program allows the opportunity to expand on curriculum, and it shows the students that art is out there in the world and happening in real life," Miller said.
Each district is permitted to submit up to 30 individual projects and two group projects.
"Students are excited to have their work showcased, and we want them to know that they are special and this is a very special event for them," Miller said. "One of my favorite parts is to talk to students about what motivated them to create their piece, what materials they utilized and what was their impetus for creating it."
Students in Cambria and Blair counties are participating in the SAMA-Altoona exhibition.
Students in Bedford County will participate in the SAMA-Bedford exhibition.
Students from Westmoreland and Fayette counties will have their works featured at SAMA-Ligonier Valley.
Schools represented in the SAMA-Altoona exhibition are Altoona Area, Cambria Heights, Forest Hills, Greater Johnstown, Hollidaysburg Area, Penn Cambria and Portage Area school districts; and Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School and St. Nicholas Catholic School.
Works from students in Bedford Area, Chestnut Ridge and Everett Area school districts will be represented at SAMA-Bedford.
Schools participating in the SAMA-Ligonier Valley exhibition include Derry Area, Hempfield Area, Greater Latrobe, Greensburg-Salem and Ligonier Valley school districts; Champion Christian School, Christ the Divine Teacher School and Valley School of Ligonier; and Greensburg Central Catholic High School.
A reception at SAMA- Altoona will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 3.
SAMA-Bedford's reception will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 24.
The reception at SAMA- Ligonier Valley will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. March 2.
"This is the same type of reception that we would hold for any artist who we have an exhibition for," Miller said. "It's so exciting for the students to come in, and we invite the teachers. It's embracing the joy of the arts, and it's probably one of our biggest turnouts every year."
Refreshments will be served.
The reception is free to attend, but a $1 donation is suggested to support the exhibitions.
Registration is encouraged at www.sama-art.org/event-list .
Miller said that even if you don't have a child who is displaying art, the show is worth viewing.
"Some of this work rivals any artist that you'll see in any exhibition," Miller said. "You'll leave feeling so enlightened and happy. It's such a joyous experience, and you'll leave this with a sense of hope because our future generations have so much creativity and imagination."
The project is made possible through the AIE Partnership of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
The exhibition is sponsored by the Sigma Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Organization for Women Educators.
Museum hours are noon to 4:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays at each location.
Admission to the exhibition is free.
For more information, visit www.sama-art.org .
