Morris County Youth Art Month 2011

"Art Sparks Genius" as we discovered this past March 2011 during Morris County Youth Art Month ("YAM"). That's when works of art by Kinnelon students at Kiel and Stonybrook schools were on display at St. Clare's Hospital in Dover from March 1 through March 19.

On the last day of the exhibit, we attended a reception at St. Clare's in Morris County. There we caught up with Kinnelon art teachers, Charleen Scully from Stonybrook School - pictured here with Emma - and Sona Santagato, from Kiel School [pictured with Emma in this post about the 2008 Kinnelon Student Art Exhibit].

[We also loved seeing Emma's very dear first grade teacher and friend, Mimi Novak.]

Talk about exuberant! The entire lobby area, including the hallways, of St. Clare's had been transformed into an 'Art Sparks Genius' YAM art gallery.

I asked Charleen and Sona to answer a few questions about Youth Art Month.

C.B.: What is Youth Art Month [YAM]?

YAM is an annual observance each month to emphasize the value of art education for all children and to encourage support for quality school art programs.

C.B.: How is YAM observed?

There are exhibits of student artwork planned in every county throughout New Jersey and at the Statehouse in Trenton. St. Clare’s Hospital is the venue for Morris County.

C.B.: How long have we been participating in the YAM exhibit at St. Clare’s hospital?

This is our third year showing students artwork from Kiel and Stonybrook school.

C.B.: Have there been other student art exhibits this year?

Kiel and Stonybrook school had a joint K-5 art show the month of December at the Kinnelon Public Library. We also submitted pieces for the P.R.I.D.E. exhibit at Rockaway Mall March 20-27.

We try to promote the Kinnelon School art program by showing the students' artwork at these different venues.

C.B.: How might parents keep art alive at home?

• Keep paper, pencils, crayons and other supplies in a designated area set-up just for art projects.
• Explore your child’s dream to draw and create.
• Listen to your child’s ideas and discuss art.
• Visit art museums, galleries and exhibits.
• Display your child’s artwork

The more art is in your child’s life, the more artistic and creative your child will be.

C.B.: Thank you, Charleen Scully and Sona Santagato! I know Emma loves your art classes and appreciates your art inspiration...

Here are the photos I took of the Kinnelon Youth Art Month student submissions from Kiel and StonyBrook schools on display at St. Clare's in Dover, Morris County.

Closeup of Emma's Mona Lisa

Stonybrook School Artwork

More Stonybrook School Artwork

Kiel School Artwork

More Kiel School Artwork

What do you think? Lots of genius sparked in this art, no?

I came across the Youth Art Month in NJ blog which includes many wonderful photos of YAM across New Jersey. Unfortunately, the blog hasn't been updated for 2011.

Finally, you can learn more about Youth Art Month by visiting the National Art Education Association site.






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