What is Youth Art Month? - Art Educators of New Jersey

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Special
Youth Art
Month Issue
2006
What is Youth Art Month?
(YAM)
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Youth Art Month is a national annual observance each
March to emphasize the value of K-12 art education for all
children and to encourage support for quality school art
programs.
Youth Art Month was created in 1961 byThe Art & Creative
Materials Institute (ACMI), a non-profit association of art
and craft materials manufacturers, in cooperation with the
National Art Education Association. In 1984, ACMI created
the Council for Art Education (CFAE) to administer the
national Youth Art Month program and encourage funding
for the program. Every county has a county show. Six
pieces of art are selected to go to the
State YAM show held at the State
House in Trenton. Next year the
State Youth Art Month Show: will
be Wednesday, March 7, 2007.
How can you get involved in Youth
Art Month?
Above: Union County;
Above Left: Camden County at Trenton Show;
Above Right: Camden County
Left: Somerset County
1. Become a member of AENJ.
2. Save artwork and be prepared to
have it ready for your county chair
person.
3. Contact your county Youth Art
Month Chair, listed on page 5.
4. Learn more at the Fall conference.
October 2, 3 & 4, Somerset NJ. Visit
the special YAM exhibit in the Garden
State Exhibit Center.
The Arts enable us to have experiences that we could not get from
any other source ... it has the power to transform lives.”
Senator Robert Menendez
Somerset Count y
AENJ, in partnership with Somerset Art
Association, celebrated the Youth Art
Month Exhibit for the fourth consecutive
year during the month of March. The
exhibits and opening receptions were
hosted by Somerset Art Association in
Bedminster, New Jersey, and held in
their beautiful historic building in the
Johnson Gallery.
Hudson Count y
The bookstore is a small space but very intimate
and beautiful setting to show art. We had art in
just about every available space from the display
windows - with ceramics, wooden cars, wampum
belts, and shadow puppets - to the walls - selfportraits, collage/assemblages, plaster cartouches,
mosaics, murals, and a quilt on the back wall. We
even hung silk painted Chinese lanterns from the
ceilings. The store owner was very happy with the
way the show looked. For a first time YAM exhibit
for Hudson County the show was success!
Ocean Count y
On Wednesday, April 19th, Toms River Schools
held their 6th annual Youth Art Month celebration
at the Poland Spring Arena at the Ritacco Center.
Hundreds of students and families enjoyed viewing
the exhibit and hearing the music of the Toms River
Schools Honors String Quintet. Those who missed
the exhibit may view it when it goes on display in
the Ocean County College Library starting Monday,
April 24th through mid-May. Congratulations to the
217 students who had their artwork displayed.
The exhibit was divided into two
parts with Part I, featuring artwork
from K-5, was on exhibit March 5th
through the 14th. Part II, featured the
artwork of 6-12 and was on exhibit
March 19th through March 31st. SAA
hosted two opening receptions, one
for each exhibit, and the turn out was
tremendous! With over 30 Somerset
County Art Teachers, representing 8
public school districts and 3 private
schools, over 300 pieces were
exhibited on two floors of gallery
space.
Participating
students,
their families and friends, enjoyed
abundant refreshments, proud
happy children, and outstanding
artwork! Essex Count y
The reception for Essex County was held on May 4, 2006 at Essex County Hall
of Records in Newark, New Jersey. The second annual student art exhibit is a
collaboration of the Office
of the Essex County
Executive,
Vincent
DiVincenzo, Jr. and the
Art Educators of New
Jersey. Parents, teachers,
school
administrators
and government officials
all attended to celebrate
and recognize the artistic
talents of students across
the many municipalities
of Essex County.
“Art is the language by which all of the diverse communities in Essex County
can speak as one”. (Alonzrea Austin)
Special thanks to the Office of the County Executive: Mr. Vincent DiVincenzo
Jr.; Ms. Theresa Ruiz; Ms. Ana Santos; and Mr. Anthony Puglisi and to the
Essex County AENJ committee.
“I never had art as a subject in school. I really
missed out on something. I hope our state
legislators support the arts in school. This
certainly has to add to our child’s self esteem
and his general view of the world.” (Parent)
2
Gloucester Count y
Over 200 pieces of artwork were hung for the
Gloucester County YAM show. It was on display
at the Gloucester County Education Building. The
crowd easily surpassed 1000. Yes, you read it right
about 1000 people attended. There was a huge line
outside waiting to get into two large rooms filled with
art. I thought Bruce Springsteen was coming - it just
felt like that many people! AENJ South President,
Greg Rogers, was in attendance as well as many of
the Gloucester County art teachers.
Vineland
Nearly 1,700 persons, the largest crowd to
ever attend an opening reception for Youth
Art Month, jammed Dr. Mennies Elementary
School, Vineland, to see work created by
the district’s elementary students.
The month of March is set aside in celebration
of National Youth Art Month and coincides
with Music in Our Schools Month. The ninthannual district wide art exhibit runs through
the end of the month, according to Cynthia
Scharnagl, Mennies art teacher and Special
Subjects Team Leader. “All elementary schools were represented with work being displayed from
grades Kindergarten through grade four,” said Scharnagl. “We are pleased
and honored to have the students and the community so supportive of the arts
in our schools.”
TIPS FOR STARTING A YAM
PROGRAM IN YOUR SCHOOL OR
DISTRICT
1)Meet with your administrator to gain support for
a YAM
2)Establish a site for the display/ reception one
year in advance
3)Meet with your Art Department to discuss the
process (you will need a professional day)
4)At the meeting determine committees such as
invitations, banners, program, map, food, signs,
poster, music, labels, installation, stores, student
greeters, etc. (November/December)
5)Displaying artwork throughout the businesses
in town is very time consuming, yet rewarding.
Owners may not be in; you need to be prepared to
return more than one time. Many chain stores are
not allowed to display work at all, or need special
permission to do so.
6)Consider a protective coating such as acetate to
protect your matted pieces.
7)Ask your school PTO’s to help cover costs such
as matts.
8)Visit the local chamber of commerce and send out
fliers to gain community awareness of the display
opportunities.
Good Luck!
Cynthia Henn ARTBEAT Editor
During the evening, to represent the performing arts, there were short bits of
entertainment including songs by the Mennies School Fine Arts Club from its
upcoming play “The Music Man.” Also performing were the Winslow School
“Star Spinners” under the direction of Marilyn Beres, and the Winslow Sign
Language Club, under the direction of Andrea Amos; the Cunningham School
Grade 4 chorus; and the Barse School Spanish Club.
Monmouth Count y
The Monmouth Museum in Lincroft was the site of the Monmouth County Youth
Art Month Exhibit featuring work from 105 students representing 18 schools.
The theme “All About Me” sparked a wide range of creative art work which
included dynamic realistic and
abstract self-portraits, as well
as papermache food, an altered
book, and a giant sculpture in
homage to the food “Spam”.
The exhibit ran from March 26
to April 23, with a well-attended
reception on April 2 where
certificates were handed out
to all the participating artists. In addition, Assemblyman Samuel Thompson
sent each student and their art teacher, a Legislative Citation to honor their
participation in the exhibit.
Warren Count y
Art teachers in Warren County
celebrated the achievements
and talents of our art students in
our annual Youth Art Month Art
show hosted by the Phillipsburg
Mall.
Fifteen Warren County
elementary, middle and high
schools participated in the
week-long exhibit.
Works in
many media were displayed
for the shoppers, families and
friends of these exceptional and
enthusiastic artists.
3
MILLBURN TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS YOUTH ART
MONTH
This year Millburn Township
Schools K-12 Art Department
developed a fabulous town wide
Youth Art Month Program. Each
teacher selected ten pieces
to represent their art program;
over 140 pieces were exhibited
at the Papermill Playhouse for
the reception and afterwards
displayed in the store windows of
45 businesses throughout town.
Fortunately, our administrators,
Parent Teacher Organization, and
local community members see
the value of quality art education programs, which made this event
possible.
When we met to discuss this town wide event, we were confident that
it would be reflective of our talented student artists and teachers. We
developed various committees and discussed the responsibilities
for each. The end result was a beautiful one-night reception at
the Papermill Playhouse complete with student musicians from
the middle school, performances and more. Since the Papermill
Playhouse could not accommodate a display of all the artwork for
more than one evening
we decided to display
them
throughout
the town after the
reception. During the
six-week display period
we received dozens
of complements on
the quality of the art
work- many stores
even requested more
artwork!
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“I think it is
important to
have art work in
school because
it is a way for
people to express
themselves.”
Student
Union Count y
Union County YAM exhibit was a huge success this year! The
exhibit was held at the Ikea, Elizabeth for the second year in a
row and the artwork was wonderfully showcased in the store’s
opening rotunda balcony area. Over 100 pieces of artwork
were on display from March 1 through April 4.
Many of the student artists, families and art teachers attended
the March 1 opening reception. Josephine Figueras, the Union
County State Board Education Member, AENJ Chairperson,
Laura Petrovich-Cheney, participated in the fest ivies.
Each student artist received a YAM award and an Artsonia
award at the ceremony. Students walked down the special
red carpet and posed with their art teachers for photographs.
Refreshments were provided Maria Tocci, assistant store
manager of Ikea.
The families stayed for a while after the ceremony to view the
artwork, shop, socialize and grap a bit to eat in the restaurant.
It was a wonderful night of families sharing quality time
together.
Union county Chairs at IKEA
Denise Lewis-Console, Camden County
YAM chair and student, Trenton
Above: Dr. Kim Defibaugh with the Flag and Billboard Winners in Trenton
Left: Kathy Nichols 6th grade students in front of
their Egyptian Treasures, North Wildwood.
No society would be known or
remembered without art. (Parent)
2006 Youth Art Month
Chairs and Events
Atlantic & Cape May County
Sharon Reustle: [email protected], Chair
Exhibit: Jan 3- Jan 29, 2006
Atlantic Cape Community College Art Gallery
Bergen County
Paige DeFelice, [email protected],
Chair
Bergen County High Schools:
Site: The Bergen Museum of Art and Science
Bergen County Middle & Elementary Schools:
Site: IKEA Paramus, Oradell and New Milford
Schools (in addition to the IKEA exhibit)
Site: The Arts Center of Northern New Jersey
Burlington County
Patricia Carper-Brown: pcarperbrown@nhanover.
com, Chair;
Kathleen Cunningham, Sherry
Springsteen, Co-Chair
Exhibit: March 13-25
Burlington County Community College
Pemberton Campus, Parker Building Student
Center
Camden County
Denise Lewis-Console: [email protected].
nj.us, Chair; Lisa Winkler, Co-Chair
Exhibit: March 3-31
Echelon Mall
Cumberland County
Diane Driessen: [email protected], Chair
Jan Olivio, Co-Chair
Exhibit: March 10-30
Cumberland County College
Fine Arts Center Gallery
Essex County
Alonzrea Austin,[email protected], Chair
Essex County Hall of Records
March 13 through May 31, 2006
Gloucester County
Dot Clarke [email protected], Chair
March 3-31
Gloucester County Education Office
Hudson County
Edward Lu, [email protected], Chair
Symposia Bookstore
510 Washington St., Hoboken
March 3 - March 31
Hunterdon County
Marge Mayers, [email protected], Chair
Exhibit: March 4 - 29, 2006
Flemington Free Public Library
Mercer County
Tamika Diaz, [email protected], Chair
Hickory Corner Branch, Mercer County Library
East Windsor
March 5, 2006 Middlesex County
Rose Pennyfeather: [email protected]@
Joanne Gianfrancesco, Co-Chair
March 6-10th
Middlesex County College
Monmouth County
Barbara Calvo, BarbaraModularHomeGroup.com,
Chair
Arlene Smelson, co-chair
Exhibit: March 26-April 23
Monmouth Museum, Lincroft
Morris County
Donna Schrader, [email protected], Chair
Dover Children’s Museum
Exhibit: March 1st - April 2nd
Ocean County
Holly Callahan: [email protected], Chair
Karen Blenner,Co-Chair
Exhibit: March 1- March 31
Jackson Branch of the Ocean County Library
Passaic County
Kathy
Benevento:[email protected],
Chair
Orville Rose, co-chair
Exhibit: March 27-April 9th 2006
Hawthorne Public Library, Gallery Room
345 Lafayette Avenue, Hawthorne
Paterson Museum & Art Department YAM
Celebrating Lou Costello’s 100 Birthday
Exhibit: March 6-April 28
Paterson Museum Thomas Rogers Building
Salem County
Diane Driessen: [email protected], Chair
Jan Olivio, Co-Chair
Exhibit: March 10-30
Cumberland County College
Fine Arts Center Gallery
Somerset County
Deb Huff: [email protected], Chair
Joanne Anderson, Co-Chair
Grades: K-5:
Exhibit: March 5-14
Grades: 6-12
Exhibit: March 19-31
Somerset Art Association
Sussex County
Beth Delaney: [email protected], Chair
Exhibit: Feb. 27-April 5
Public Gallery, Sussex County Courthouse
High Street, Newton
Union County
Carrie Davey: [email protected], Chair
Camille Leonow, Charlotte Banks, Karen Pilkington,
Co-Chairs
Exhibit: March 1- April 3
Ikea, Elizabeth, NJ
Warren County
Kathleen Giuliano, [email protected], Chair
Leslie Nemeth, Co-Chair
April 1st - 7th,
Phillipsburg Mall
Cumberland and Salem Counties are looking for two
more co-chairs, please contact Diana Dressen if your
interested in getting involved!
HELP! Gloucester County needs a new County
Chair! Please contact Laura Petrovich-Cheney @
[email protected] if you’re interested!
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Sponsors:
Platinum
Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, 20th
Legislative District, Chairman of the
Democratic State Committee
Gold
Dr. Kim Defibaugh
William Annin Middle School PTO
Assemblyman Samuel D. Thompson
Mount Prospect School PTO
Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin, Dr
Deborah Greh, Linda Devlin,
R. Gloria Pappalrdo
Silver
Susan Bivona, Harry Bower, Barbara
Calvo, Nancy Knutsen, Arlene
Milgram, Valerie Negra, Gene Neglia,
Senator Loretta Weinberg, 37th
Legislative District of Bergen County
Anonymous Donor
Christy Ann Welter
Bronze
Lynn H. Slotkin in support of Dr. Pearl
Greenberg
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“There should be funding for the arts programs in ALL schools. More of the students’ art work should be
exhibited through our the year so that the legistaltors could see what our children can do!”(Parent,)
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“Attending the state YAM is truly an
honor for us – Congratulations to all of
the artists! Remember to always share
in the beauty of everything around you.”
Parent
YAM exhibits from across the state: Ocean to Monmouth
to to Somerset Morris to Ocean to Atlantic to Union
and Mercer Counties
No Limits...Just Edges!
Jackson
Pollack