Artwork from elementary-school students in the area is on public display at the McLean Community Center through the McLean Project for the Arts. The 23rd Annual Youth Art Show features hundreds of artworks that will be available for viewing through March 20.
“This is really cool. It could inspire [students] to make their art more exciting and give them new ideas,” said sixth-grader Elizabeth Garvin. Elizabeth was one of hundreds of students and parents who turned out for the opening reception last week.
Elementary-school students from Chesterbrook, Churchill Road, Franklin Sherman, Haycock, Kent Gardens, Lemon Road, Spring Hill and Westgate have their artwork on display for the “Elements” exhibit.
Joan Morton of the Woman's Club of McLean, which helps fund the annual exhibit, said, “This is one of our favorite programs because of the children’s participation.” The Woman's Club of McLean helps pay for the event through monies raised at its Holiday Homes tour.
“The children get confidence in themselves and pride in what they are doing. Like any of the arts, it teaches them to work independently and to work together in groups on things like the murals. I imagine, just by looking at some of these pictures and things, that they have to have a great deal of focus as well,” said Morton.
Third-grader Yuri Murata from Churchill Road School proudly led her father to a self-portrait she had completed. Her father said, “She loves to paint. This is very good for her to see her art here with others.”
The exhibit is presented in “salon style” along the walls of the Emerson and Atrium galleries and along the Ramp Gallery.
The art show will reopen as the Transitions exhibit, featuring works by area middle- and high-school students, on March 25 and run through April 9.
Gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 1-5 p.m.