Mayor Windham proclaims March as National Youth Art Month at annual ceremony

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2009
Contact: Andi Foster, LAAL Publicity
foster_andi2@hotmail.com
936.590.0298

Center, Texas – The Lakes Area Arts League joins hundreds of arts organizations and communities across the nation in celebrating and recognizing National Youth Art Month during the month of March. National Youth Art Month is an annual observance each March emphasizing the value of art education for all children, encouraging support for quality school programs and providing a forum for acknowledging skills that are fostered through experience in the visual arts that are not possible in other subjects offered in the curriculum.

Everyone in the community is encouraged to support in what has become one of the country’s most recognized annual celebrations for the youth participating in art and humanities programs. Students, parents, teachers, and art supporters joined Mayor John Dean Windham, City of Center, as he presented the National Youth Art Month proclamation at the annual ceremony held during the opening reception for Youth Art Month (YAM) Shelby County on Monday, March 2 at the Lakes Area Arts League (LAAL) Art Center.

The YAM Shelby County art exhibition showcasing the talents of area students will be held through Friday, March 20, 2009 at the LAAL Art Center, 305 Nacogdoches Street, Center, TX, one block from the historic downtown square. Gallery dates and times include Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The exhibit will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The public is invited to attend and the exhibition is free. Visitors are encouraged to participate in the People’s Choice ballot by voting for their favorite artwork on display during the exhibition.

Youth Art Month was created in 1961 by the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI), a non-profit association of art and craft materials manufacturers, in cooperation with the National Art Education Association (NAEA). In 1984, ACMI created the Council for Art Education (CFAE) to administer the national Youth Art Month program and encourage funding for the program. Current members of the Council include: ACMI, which provides all administrative support and the majority of funding for National Youth Art Month; NAEA, whose members carry out local Youth Art Month activities and whose state affiliates help fund state Youth Art Month programs; The SHIP, a group of art materials exhibit the annual NAEA Convention; and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, a volunteer organization dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service. Other involved organizations include the Association of Crafts & Creative Industries, Hobby Industries Association and National Art Materials Trade Association.

For details regarding the current YAM Shelby County student art exhibition or learning how to participate in YAM 2010, contact YAM Coordinators Donna Neuville 936.598.3278, Nancy Dickerson 936.598.7335 or Carlene Higgins 936.554.5095.

Donna Neuville currently teaches Art I and Art II at Center Middle School where she has been an art instructor for the past four years. Previously, she taught art at the primary level with CISD for three years and at Mineola Elementary School for ten years. Her educational background includes obtaining her degrees in M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, Art Concentration and B.S. in Education from the University of Texas in Tyler. Neuville currently serves on the LAAL board of directors and Education Committee.

Nancy Dickerson presently teaches Art I, Art II, PreAP, AP Studio Art and creative writing at Center High School. She has taught private art lessons and is involved in an internet Artist Trading Card forum. Dickerson is also a teaching consultant for the National Writing Project and presents writing-based workshops for school districts. She holds a BA in art and English from Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) and has taught at Center High School for 27 years.

Carlene Higgins began teaching art at Center Intermediate School in August 2008. Higgins graduated SFA in 2004 with a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree with double majors in Fine Arts and Drafting. Her special interest includes Raku ceramics and creates original artwork at her home studio.

The Lakes Area Arts League is a non-profit organization established to promote interest and knowledge of all areas of the visual and performing fine arts through education and appreciation while enhancing the culture and tourism of the community and surrounding areas.

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