The cheerful paintings of swimming children won me over as soon as I walked into GRACE last week. I couldn’t help but grin when I looked at kids’ artwork of people leaping into swimming pools. This series of paintings was created by students at Ravensworth Elementary School, and inspired by the work of painter David Hockney. The rest of the art gallery was filled with equally delightful creations by local school children.
Scenes inspired by David Hockney’s swimming pool series, by students at Ravensworth Elementary School (GRACE)
This exhibit was part of the Greater Reston Arts Center’s celebration of Youth Art Month. This national tradition is observed each March by schools, galleries, and communities throughout the country. The goals of Youth Art Month are to emphasize the benefits of art education, and to encourage quality art programs in schools around the country. Reston-area art galleries and community centers have been displaying the work of local kids and teens as a part of Youth Art Month. Here are a few of the exhibits that you can find around town this month.
GREATER RESTON ARTS CENTER (GRACE)
GRACE is celebrating Youth Art Month with two exhibits during March. The first exhibit, called GRACE Art: Celebrating Creativity, was on display earlier this month, March 6-14, 2015. This exhibit featured select works by students of schools that participate in GRACE’s education outreach programs.
The second exhibit opens on Friday, March 20, and is called Emerging Visions: Reconstruction. This exhibit showcases exceptional work by local high school students. It will be on display until April 4th, with an opening reception on Friday, March 20, 2015. Admission to GRACE is free.
Artwork by students at Oakton Elementary School, inpired by public art (GRACE)
Artwork by students at Aldrin Elementary School, inspired by the portfolio of Pablo Picasso (GRACE)
RESTON COMMUNITY CENTER (RCC)
The RCC at Lake Anne has two gallery spaces: the Jo Ann Rose Gallery, and the 3D art gallery. Both of these spaces are presenting creations by young artists as part of their Youth Art Month Exhibit: Reston Elementary School Students.
The RCC at Hunters Woods is also hosting an exhibit for Youth Art Month, called Art from Langston Hughes Middle School Students.
Both of these exhibits are on display from March 1-30, 2015. Admission is free.
Artwork by Reston elementary school students (RCC at Lake Anne)
“Global Issue Robot” by Maxine Prudhomme, “Animals in their Habitat” by Sophia Dadley, and “Warm and Cool Birch Trees” by Shaan Shah (RCC at Lake Anne)
Tower Sculpture made from recycled water bottles, by students of Sunrise Valley Elementary School, and inspired by the glasswork of Dale Chihuly (RCC at Lake Anne)
WALKER NATURE CENTER
Throughout this winter, the Walker Nature Center has hosted a Kids’ Art Show, in celebration of the new Official Bird of Reston, the Pileated Woodpecker. They had artwork submissions from 24 children, age 5-13. The young artists’ work will be on display at the nature center until about March 28, 2015. Admission is free.
Pileated Woodpeckers by Willa Foxen (left), and Shylah Swope (right) (Walker Nature Center)
ARTSPACE HERNDON
ArtSpace Herndon will host an exhibit called Mind, Heart, Vision, featuring the work of seniors from Herndon High School. Art teachers have invited talented students to display their paintings, drawings, photographs, and digital art in this show, which will be juried by professional artists in the community. The exhibit will be on display March 24– April 5, 2015, with an artists’ reception on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 from 6- 8 p.m. Admission is free, and student artwork will be available for purchase.
We congratulate all the young artists whose work is included in these exhibits! What a bright future lies ahead for these creative minds.
Related stories:
ArtsPlay: A New Literature-Based Art & Drama Program for Preschoolers
A Creative Night Out at ArtSpace Herndon’s Design and Wine
Indoor Fun: Tour the Open Art Studios at the Torpedo Factory