A cornerstone in any child’s education is arts and crafts time. Drawing, painting, and sculpting are all ways a young mind can discover and communicate with the world, while creating a little piece of it. People who pursue their skills into their adolescence and early adulthood often find a rewarding outlet for self-expression.
“What kid doesn’t like to draw?” said Santa Maria Arts Council President Craig Shafer. “”Maybe it is a part of our genetic makeup that we are drawn to create, and I think we should not stifle it.”
Far from stifling the efforts of young artists, the Santa Maria Arts Council presents its 33rd annual Student Art Show at the Santa Maria Public Library’s Shepard Hall through the end of the month. The closing ceremony of the exhibit on March 27 will also feature the awards ceremony. Awards are given in the drawing, painting, design, 3D, and photography categories to the artists, who are all students at local junior high and high schools.
“Art is what makes us human, and for some students it’s a way to stay engaged in school,” Shafer said, “and putting your art in a public art show? Talk about a self confidence booster!”
The awards have already been assigned, but they won’t be given until the show. The ribbon winners even get a cash prize for their skilled efforts, to put toward furthering their art.
“This is our 33rd annual event, and it’s an opportunity for the community to see these amazing talents in our schools,” Shafer said. “It’s really inspiring. You can take a lot away from this and the stories these kids are telling in this show.”
Arts Editor Joe Payne thinks art and opposable thumbs make us human. Contact him at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Mar 14-21, 2013.