PORTLAND

Creative works from Maine art students in grades K-12 will be on display during the month of March at Portland Museum of Art. The multi-media exhibit, sponsored by Maine Art Education Association, highlights Youth Art Month, a national celebration sponsored by Council for Art Education. The annual celebration, which typically takes place in March, emphasizes the value of art education for all children and encourages support for quality art programs in Maine schools.

The majority of the state is represented with 10 of the 16 counties sending a total of 100 works of art in all grades. Teachers who are members of the Maine Art Education Association are allowed to choose one artwork per school for submission to the exhibition at this prestigious venue.

This year, Angelo Atienza, a 7th grade student at Woolwich Central School was chosen by art teacher Laura Devin to display his artwork entitled “Rawr,” a graphite drawing of a tiger.

Guest speakers for the event include honorees as named by the Maine Art Education Association. Maine College of Art has been named MAEA’s Art Advocate of the Year. Don Tuski, President of MECA will be accepting that award on behalf of the college. Carolyn Brown, a teacher at Camden Hills Regional High School is Maine’s Art Educator of the Year.

The Opening Reception is Saturday from 4-7:30 p.m. Presentation of Certificates will be at 4:30 p.m. for kindergarten to third grade, at 5:30 p.m. for fourth to seventh grade and 6:30 p.m. for eighth to twelfth grade. The 2016 Youth Art Month Exhibit will run through April 3.

Admission to the student exhibit is free the night of the opening.