Friday, March 14, 2014

High School Artists Featured in annual Show at Calaveras Arts Council

ArtSpirit, the 17th annual High School Juried Exhibition will open in Calaveras Arts Council’s Gallery Calaveras on Saturday, March 15.  Student artists are from Calaveras, Bret Harte and Mountain Oaks high schools.  A public reception will be held on Saturday, March 15 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. in the gallery.  The gallery is located at 22 Main, San Andreas.  First, second and third place judging results will be announced at 2:00 pm.

Cash awards will be presented to first and second place winners; ribbons for third place, in each of 12 categories. These include Black and White Photography, Color Photography, Digital/Computer Art, Oil or Acrylic Painting, Watercolor Painting, Pastels, Drawing/Illustration, Functional Ceramics, Sculpture, Printmaking, Other/Mixed Media, and Crafts.

Since March has been designated both nationally and statewide as Arts Education Month, this ArtSpirit exhibit is meant to call attention to the importance of having an education steeped in the arts. The exhibit provides the public with the rare opportunity to observe and purchase art created by the county’s many very talented teens.  Last year hundreds of students entered over 200 works. 



Small groups of students hang and label the show which is an awesome task, given how many pieces are entered. Judging of the art for the cash awards in each category is by local professional artists.

ArtSpirit was chosen as the title to symbolize that through art, students often feel a spirit to express their innermost feelings, whether it be rage and fear, or joy and spirituality. Visitors will be impressed with the quality and the diversity and will be able to cast a ballot for their favorite artwork. At the end of the show in April, a Popular Choice cash award will be presented to the student artist with the most votes.  Last year, over 250 people voted.

Calaveras Arts Council has been assisting local schools for over two decades with its esteemed Arts in Education program which provides a wide range of visual and performing arts workshops and assemblies.
Gallery Calaveras is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Fridays and Saturdays, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information, phone the Calaveras County Arts Council, 754-1774 or visit www.calaverasarts.org.   END