By Raurie Laliberte
TAMPA, Fla.– The Young at Art Student Exhibition brightens the local community by giving school-aged children an outlet to celebrate their creativity. This year’s submissions were from students ranging from kindergarten through the eighth grade.
This event is meant not only to acknowledge these artists’ talent but also to acknowledge the dedication and support of the visual arts by the educators. The museum acknowledged other school staff and administration, the Hillsborough County School Board, the Hillsborough Education Foundation, and the families and friends of the artists for their dedication to this exhibit.
The exhibit features artwork that varied in texture, color, style, and composition. These images ranged from self-portraits to some artists choosing to illustrate more abstract things and experimenting with their style.
Brittny Bevel, head of guided and gallery-based learning, said this exhibit has been happening since the 1990s, demonstrating the Tampa Museum of Art’s dedication to art education.
“I hope it helps the students see themselves in the museum,” said Bevel. “We want the museum to be a welcoming place for all, and this is one way in which we can show students that not only are they welcome here, but they are wanted here.”
The children who created pieces could also share the “why” behind their artwork or a short description for viewers.
Fourth grader Adneil Chavez wrote a description of his piece that read, “We have so much fun in art with Ms. Sepulveda. I love learning about the sunflowers by my favorite artist, Van Gogh,” next to his piece with a carefully illustrated yellow pot of flowers.
“My older sister is really good at art, and she inspired me to do art. Now, I look around me and draw whatever I want to, and even if it’s difficult, I keep trying. I love art,” wrote Pranavi Panchakshai, another fourth-grade student who created a piece titled Beautiful Warm-Colored Leaf.
This was a common theme throughout the exhibit: how much art education means to these Hillsborough County students.
Young at Art is not the only local art education initiative. The Tampa Museum of Art offers a plethora of art education experiences, including exhibitions, studio art classes, art education lectures, and events celebrating the creativity of our community.
This year, Young at Art runs from Jan. 13 through April 13. The Young at Art exhibit happens yearly and typically runs at the beginning of the new year. This event is open to anyone, and you do not have to be a student to attend. The Tampa Museum of Art also allows college students with a valid ID to enter the museum for free.
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Photo by Raurie Laliberte.