Youth Art Month has started! FCPS takes its time to celebrate the young and upcoming artists of our school district. Youth Art Month is dedicated to garnering support for the visual arts of any medium – providing art-related opportunities and programs for students, especially in schools. Many art pieces by both FCPS students and faculty are being shown at Delaplaine Arts Center in Frederick throughout the month of March.
Frederick County’s Youth Art Month, or YAM, is a showcase of artwork done by kids in grades K-12, as well as their teachers. In the words of Kristine Goad, Walkersville High art teacher, “It’s an impressive show, it highlights the creativity and talent of student’s and their instructors.” It’s also a great way to show the growth and diversity of student’s art as they get older, as well as the arts programs themselves and all the various media that are featured.
Each art teacher gets to choose three student pieces that they think stand out, and with parent permission, their work is featured at the Delaplaine Arts Center for the entire month of March. Nine students from Walkersville High School were selected to showcase their art at Delaplaine, with art mediums ranging from photography to jewelry making, and everything in between. It’s a very exciting opportunity. Student artist, Phoenix Uttermohlen, said, “I really enjoy art, and I was happily surprised when my piece was picked.”
YAM focuses primarily on student artwork; however, Frederick County art teachers are also given the chance to submit their own works, which are also featured throughout the month of March. Two teachers from Walkersville High submitted their works: Kristine Goad and Zoe Willard.
Seeing the exhibit in person is well worth the trip. Each student piece is unique to the artist, and the display of it all together makes a powerful statement. Lillian DuFour, a student whose drawing was featured in the show, described the Delaplaine as “a nice place, a good atmosphere, with art from people of all ages.” She mentioned that the summer programs Delaplaine offers for young artists and the YAM art gallery are something she looks forward to every year. Delaplaine does offer lots of programs for people interested in the arts. From scavenger hunts to contest entries, there’s lots to do with friends and family.
YAM isn’t the only event that gives student art time to shine, as Frederick County and the Delaplaine also hold the Bettie Art Award program. Named for Bettie Delaplaine, an avid supporter of the arts and Frederick County’s art community, this award spotlights Frederick’s best student artists. It’s a great opportunity for those who want to pursue arts as a career, as it gives both a learning experience for submitting artwork for exhibition, and can be added as an accomplishment for future college or work applications. Any high schooler can enter, and there is a prize for the winners.
The Art Month Exhibition is up until the end of March – so go while you still can. Look for the artwork of your classmate, your teacher, or just go to get your art fix for the month. It’s completely free, and so worth it! It’s important that we support artists of all mediums, as passion for the arts is just as important as passion for sports or academics. Art brings something special to the world, especially when it originates from our community.
