Student creations featured at Monroeville library during Youth Art Month

The gallery space at Monroeville Public Library will come alive in March with Gateway School District’s K-12 student art show.

This annual exhibit celebrates Youth Art Month and is organized by Gateway High School Visual Arts Department Chair Greta Severson.

“The art show presents student art from every school in the district,” Severson said. “The event highlights student accomplishments and features the concepts and skills that students are learning and applying in their art classes.”

In schools across the country, March is recognized as Youth Art Month, highlighting how a visual arts education enriches students’ lives through critical thinking and creativity. Youth Art Month is promoted by the Council for Art Education and supported by the National Art Educators Association.

The tradition of displaying the district’s art show in the gallery space started more than 20 years ago as a collaboration between the library and Gateway art teachers.

“The student show always brings a special energy to the gallery space,” Friends of Monroeville Public Library President Diane Lindsey said. “We love coordinating this exhibit to help students share their talents with the community.”

“This art show is a celebration of youth art experiences and provides an opportunity for the public to engage with the creative endeavors of our students,” Severson said. “In the words of Edgar Degas, ‘Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.’ We are excited for the community to see through the lens of our young artists.”

During the art show from March 1-26, the Friends of Monroeville Public Library, with support from the library staff, will hold a food drive for Gateway’s Backpack Program. According to University Park Elementary School Principal Jennifer Hoffner, 40% of the school’s 337 students receive free or reduced-cost lunch.

The program’s mission is to supply students in need with a backpack of nonperishable food items to take home every Friday. Suggested donation items include oatmeal, bottled water, peanut butter, granola bars and canned vegetables. A full list of items and collection boxes will be posted outside of the gallery space.

For more information on the program, contact Jennifer Hoffner at 724-327-4113.

The library at 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd. is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.