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If it weren't for art class at school, Jennifer Donaho, 17, senior at Martinsburg High School, said she would have never known she was good at acrylic painting.
"I would have never thought it would be something I would enjoy," Jennifer said.
Jennifer will have at least one of her paintings on display at the Youth Art Month exhibit, which opens Sunday, March 8, at The Arts Centre in Martinsburg, W.Va. The show will feature work by high school students in Berkeley County public schools.
"We like to think it's the best from all schools," said Karen Barrett, fine arts chair at Martinsburg High School and the Berkeley County Schools arts chair. Barrett coordinates The Arts Centre show.
The Martinsburg show is among several student art exhibits coming up in the Tri-State region - after all, March has been deemed Youth Art Month by Council for Art Education, a national nonprofit organization.
Student art shows set throughout area
The Youth Art Month show at the Ice House in Berkeley Springs, W.Va., opens Friday and will be on view through March 29. In Frederick, Md., a juried youth art show will be on view at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center Saturday, March 7, through Sunday, March 29.
Washington County's public school art show is set for May 2 through 31 at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, said Sandy Gray-Murray, curriculum specialist for the school system's visual arts programs.
"It gives them confidence to put their work on display, which is part of being an artist," Gray-Murray said. "It affirms the importance of the arts in the student's mind."
Sandra Earls, curator of the Youth Art Month show at the Ice House, said the gallery is expecting nearly 690 pieces from Morgan County's public school students. The exhibit is open to elementary, middle and high schools.
In school, "students don't get to see what other students are doing," Earls said.
Art teachers and exhibit curators said student shows give fledgling artists a taste of what it's like to be a professional artist.
"It lets them know that this work doesn't just magically appear in the frame. It doesn't magically appear on the walls," Barrett said.
Jennifer Donaho said last year's exhibit at The Arts Centre was the first time she ever had her work on display in public. Once she got over her nervousness, she said she found value in the feedback. She's looking forward to what people will say this year.
"Your parents will say, 'Oh, that's nice,'" Jennifer said. "That's what they're supposed to say - they're your parents."
Upcoming youth art exhibits in Maryland, West Virginia
West Virginia
Youth Art Month Show
When: Continues through Sunday, March 29
Where: Ice House, 313 Independence St., Berkeley Springs, W.Va.,
The gist: An exhibit of 690 pieces from Morgan County public school students. The exhibit is not competitive. The exhibit is a collaborative effort between the Morgan (County) Arts Council and Morgan County Schools.
More: www.macicehouse.org.
Youth Art Month
When: Today through Friday, March 27.
Where: The Arts Centre, 300 W. King St., Martinsburg, W.Va.
The gist: Features the work of Berkeley County public high school students. Teachers select pieces to be in the show. The exhibit is not competitive.
More: www.theartcentre.org.
Maryland
Frederick County Public Schools Youth Art Show
When: Continues through Sunday, March 29
Where: Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick, Md.
The gist: Juried show features work from Frederick County Public Schools students in grades kindergarten through 12.
More: www.delaplaine.org.
Washington County Public Schools' Art Exhibition
When: Saturday, May 2, through Sunday, May 31
Where: Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, City Park, Hagerstown
The gist: Juried show features work from Washington County public school students in grades kindergarten through 12. Prizes will be awarded across several categories.
More: www.wcmfa.org.
Home school student art show
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 18
Where: Zion United Church of Christ, 201 N. Potomac St., Hagerstown
The gist: The exhibit is open to home-school students ages 5 to 18. Selected pieces will appear in the home-school student art show at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts.
More: E-mail Chris Copley, chriscopley56@gmail.com for more details on how to enter.
Young Artist of the Home School Community exhibit
When: Saturday, May 23, through Sunday, June 21
Where: Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, City Park, Hagerstown
The gist: Exhibit features artwork by home-schooled students in the Tri-State area.
More: www.wcmfa.org.
