ROCKFORD ART MUSEUM | RAM TALKS ART | RAM OPENS YOUNG ARTIST SHOW: HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION MARCH 5

RAM Talks Art: RAM opens Young Artist Show: High School Division March 15

By Stacey Sauer, Education Coordinator, Rockford Art Museum

Art. It is such a tiny word; and yet, for many of us, it is a word that has become an integral part of our lives. Every one of us, at some point in our lives, will be influenced by art, either by the creation or appreciation of it. This is never more apparent than when we are young. When children are young, there is a creativity, spontaneity and freedom of expression to the art that they create.

Each year, the talent and creativity of Rockford's youth can be seen at Rockford Art Museum's (RAM) Young Artist Show. This year marks the 68th anniversary of this annual exhibition.
In 1941, RAM (then known as the Rockford Art Association) displayed the artwork of Rockford schoolchildren in the first Young Artist Show. What began as a single exhibit dedicated to displaying artwork from local students has now evolved into a regional show that is open to public and private, parochial and home school students. It is also divided into two divisions: one for high school (grades 9-12), and one for youth (grades K-8). Although the exhibition has changed over the years, it remains committed to celebrating the achievements of these young artists and their dedicated teachers.

The Young Artist Show begins each year with the High School Division, a juried show. First, RAM selects two jurors. Art teachers within a 40-mile radius of Rockford take the time to help their students select their best pieces of work for consideration for this show. Students may submit individual pieces, and if they are seniors, they may submit up to five pieces in a portfolio. After all pieces are submitted, our jurors have the task of selecting pieces to display that they feel best exemplify the talent, skill and creativity of these outstanding students. As well as choosing the participants, the jurors also choose award-winners for Best of Show, Best of 2-D, Best of 3-D, and Jurors' Choice. In 2008, the High School Division displayed more than 200 juried pieces of artwork from 18 high schools.

The Young Artist Show: Youth Division allows students in grades K-8 a chance to have their artwork displayed in a museum. Unlike the High School Division, where the artwork is selected by jurors, the Youth Division pieces are selected by the art teachers themselves. Elementary teachers may select up to five pieces to submit, and middle schools may submit up to eight. Recognition awards, selected by the RAM staff instead of jurors, are given to one student in each grade level for an exceptional piece of artwork.

Not only is the Young Artist Show a chance for students to have their work displayed in a museum setting (a rare opportunity), but it also allows the community a chance to come and see exactly how creative and gifted our students are—and how influential the visual arts can be.
Each year, I continue to be impressed with the quality of work displayed in the show. It is a testament not only to how talented these students are, but it also speaks highly of the art educators who are dedicated to inspiring these young artists.

The Young Artist Show is also a wonderful field trip opportunity. It allows high school students to see exactly what their peers are working on, and possibly provide them with inspiration for future projects. It also allows younger students a chance to see what kind of work they will be capable of when they are older.

If you are thinking about bringing your class to see this exhibition, please note that all field trips for school groups during the Young Artist Show are FREE! Just call RAM, (815) 968-2787, to schedule a tour.

If you are an art teacher and would like more information about the Young Artist Show, you may download information packets from our Web site, http://www.rockfordartmuseum.org.
The 68th Young Artist Show: High School Division kicks off with a free, public opening from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, March 15, and the awards presentation begins at 2 p.m. The exhibit remains on display in RAM's Anderson Gallery through Sunday, April 19.

The 68th Young Artist Show: Youth Division, which features artwork by Winnebago County students in grades K-8, begins with a free, public opening from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, April 26, and remains on display in RAM's Anderson Gallery through Sunday, May 24.

Contact RAM Education Coordinator Stacey Sauer at ssauer@rockfordartmuseum.org.

From the Feb. 25-March 3, 2009 issue

Copyright 2002-2009 The Rock River Times

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