Pablo Picasso supposedly outshined his art teacher father at age 13 and was accepted at Barcelona’s School of Fine Arts at age 14.
If the next Picasso is in our midst, his or her work could be among the creations featured at various local showings highlighting young talent.
Artists of the 21st Century: Student Art Exhibition is featured now through March 23 at the Loretto location of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art and through April 21 at SAMA’s Ligonier Valley site.
The works of more than 250 students are being featured in the dual exhibition, which is open to schools that participate in SAMA’s Arts-in-Education or Artist-in-Residence program.
Ten districts and 24 schools are taking part, including Altoona Area High School and Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School in the Loretto exhibition.
“Please take the opportunity to visit these exhibitions and view the wonderful student art on display,” invited Jessica Campbell, SAMA Education Coordinator. “You’ll see faces beaming with joy, proud parents, and some truly amazing artwork.”
In that same spirit, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown are also in the midst of celebrating young talent.
The first annual Divinely Inspired Art Show is running now through February 25 at the Bottle Works in Johnstown.
The show features more than 400 pieces of art – including paintings, drawings, and sculptures – from students around the diocese in grades Kindergarten through 12. Student musicians are also performing at various times.
The exhibition was the brainchild of Bev Struble, Art teacher at Divine Mercy Catholic Academy in Johnstown. She and Karen Blaisdell, Art and Religion teacher at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Ebensburg, are chairing the inaugural show.
“The arts are so important to a student’s education,” commented Jo-Ann Semko, Director of Education for the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. “At a time when these programs are being slashed around the country, it is great to see that Art education is thriving in our diocesan schools.”
Judging at the Divinely Inspired Art Show has occurred, and an awards ceremony is scheduled for February 24 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Bottle Works.
As part of the festivities at SAMA-Loretto, the inaugural Mardi Gras for a Cause family program is scheduled for March 5 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. The event will feature family-themed entertainment highlighting the SAMA’s teaching artists.
So whether or not the next Picasso is populating one of our schools, Campbell’s words ring true: “Please join us in acknowledging our area students for their incredible imagination and creativity.”