Youth Art Month 2002 State/County/Local Exhibit Information

During the month of March 2002, the Art Educators of New Jersey celebrated our state's talented students in a venue called Youth Art Month. The NJ state exhibit was from March 11 through March 15, 2002. Student artwork was on display in Trenton in the State House Annex Tunnel and Goldfinch Square. Student artwork for this exhibit was selected by juries at each NJ county exhibit. Students who had their artwork displayed in the state exhibit will also have their artwork displayed in October 2002 at the Art Educators of New Jersey Conference in Somerset, NJ. Click here to see photos of the 2002 state YAM exhibit.

Each year, state legislators are asked to sign proclamations celebrating Youth Art Month. This year proclamations were signed by Governor McGreevey, Commissioner of Education William Librera, Assemblyman Joseph V. Doria (Chair of the Assembly Education Committee), Assemblymen David W. Wolfe and Rafael J. Fraguela (both members of the Assembly Education Committee), and Anne S. Dillman and Roberta Van Anda, members of the State Board of Education.

NJ 2002 Youth Art Month Honorary Chairperson New Jersey State Board of Education Member Roberta Van Anda

Her beautiful watercolor painting for the New Jersey State Youth Art Month Exhibit

On the evening of March 11th, there was a reception for the artists, their families and art teachers. From 5:00 to 6:30 PM, there were refreshments for all in Committee Room 4 in the State House Annex. Student artists were awarded certificates by Roberta Van Anda and art educator Jan Wilson, New Jersey's Teacher of the Year attended the awards ceremony. It was a great opportunity for those who enjoy the arts to communicate with those who make educational policy in NJ. Click here to see photos of the 2002 state YAM reception.

One of the goals of Youth Art Month 2002 was to increase the amount of YAM observances in New Jersey. This year exhibits were organized in the following 16 counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren. The exhibits were in a variety of sites including museums, malls, libraries, schools, and courthouses. Check the table below to find information about exhibits that were planned for March 2002.

Schools throughout New Jersey created displays of student artwork in honor of 2002 Youth Art Month.

• North Dover Elementary School in Toms River celebrated Youth Art Month by displaying artwork along with statements about the value of art education. Students of all ages wrote essays and poems about art education that were displayed by the front office for visitors to read. One student read his essay during the Toms River Schools YAM reception at Ocean County College. Students also designed YAM posters that were made into buttons and posters to promote the Toms River Schools 2002 Youth Art Month exhibit at Ocean County College.



Toms River student reads speech about the value of art education.

Student designers of YAM posters and buttons helped Toms River Schools celebrate 2002 Youth Art Month.



• An exhibit representing the Ocean Township school district in Monmouth County was held from March 1 through April 12 in the First Union Bank. There were 92 pieces of art on display from grades 1 through 8. In addition, Ocean Township Elementary School's art teacher, Barbara Calvo, invited parents to visit during their child's art class. During that week, over 100 parents and grandparents came in to watch and participate in the art experience.



• An overflow crowd jammed Winslow Elementary School on March 8 for Vineland Public Schools' fourth annual district-wide art display. The event was held to celebrate National Youth Art Month and coincided with Music in Our Schools Month. A variety of projects in various media were scattered throughout the school, and proud parents photographed their children near displays of the work. In the all-purpose room, families enjoyed refreshments and watched as students sang and danced. A group from the Mennies School Fine Arts Club presented highlights of their upcoming "Annie" play in May. The Vineland Junior Women's Club again presented prizes to children in every school for outstanding art work.
  
  Vineland elementary art teachers include: Mrs. Cindy Scharnagl - Dr. Mennies School; Mrs. Nancy Curley - Dane Barse and Butler Ave. Schools; Mrs. Janice Olivio - Durand School; Mrs. E. Raye LeValley - Johnstone and E. Vineland Schools; Ms. Lisa LaRosa - Cunningham and S. Vineland Schools; Mrs. Karen Federici - Winslow School; and Mr. Paul Sauers, Max Leuchter, Oak & Main and Mennies School kindergartens.

All art teachers are invited to celebrate Youth Art Month. Here are several ideas to get you started:

• Student-designed place mats for local restaurants
• Decorate grocery bags and bags for "Meals on Wheels" with student artwork
• Display student artwork in school buses
• Take children on a field trip to an art museum
• Have an artist visit your school
• Send student artwork to your local newspaper for inclusion in the community section
• Display student artwork in nursing homes
• Make calendars, t-shirts, note pads, mouse pads, or magnets featuring student artwork
• Hold a "Stop, Listen, and Draw" program where all students draw to music after morning announcements
• Place student artwork on computers as wallpaper or make them into screen savers
• Display student artwork in your classroom, or school hallway, lunch room, or cafeteria

The ideas for celebrating art learning are limitless!!!

Don't forget to communicate what you do to others. Send information about your 2002 YAM celebration to:

Kim L. Defibaugh, Ed.D.
North Dover Elementary School
1759 New Hampshire Avenue
Toms River, New Jersey 08755
1-732-505-5860
kdefibau@trschools.com

Include your name; the name of your school and school district; where and when your exhibit or activity was held; names of people (school or town officials and cultural leaders) who attended and/or signed proclamations; articles from newspapers; information about radio, TV and cable stations who publicized your exhibit or activity; and describe any special activities or materials you developed such as buttons, bumper stickers, posters, etc.

Remember, you can mail photos of student artwork or attach digital photos to an email message. Photos should be sent as email attachments in .gif or .jpg format. Once information has been submitted, participation will be noted on this web site. Hope you have fun celebrating Youth Art Month and thank you for participating!

Send Youth Art Month Exhibit information or questions to: Kim L. Defibaugh, Ed.D.