Art students and teachers from seven school districts in the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES region are participating in an art exhibition in celebration of Youth Art Month.
The “Reflections” exhibition will be available for viewing at Herkimer College’s Cogar Gallery from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday on days Herkimer College is open until March 5.
Herkimer County Art Circles, a professional development group of art educators from area schools, in partnership with the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts, is presenting the special exhibition showcasing artwork created by both local art educators and their students.
The exhibition is organized by art educators from Herkimer County schools and highlights the creative achievements of students alongside the professionals who guide and inspire them.
During a reception on Tuesday, Feb. 3, participating students and teachers were formally recognized for their artistic achievements and presented with certificates.
The following school districts – and art teachers listed in parentheses – participated in the exhibition with their students: Frankfort-Schuyler (teachers Melissa Rocco and Nancy Cooney), Central Valley (teachers Melissa Kirk, Cheryl LaVenture, Leslie Kubica and Amy Roepnack), Herkimer (Heather McCutcheon), Little Falls (Adrienne Watson and Wendy Rockwell, Mount Markham (Meghan Pagano and Tara Messenger), Dolgeville (Lisa Rocheck) and Richfield Springs (Karen Sportello and Dan Marrone).
Youth Art Month is a nationwide initiative now in its 65th year, dedicated to emphasizing the importance of art education. Its objectives include directing attention to the value of art education, recognizing art as a necessity for the full development of quality of life, building support for visual art programs within school curricula and acknowledging art education as a vital component in preparing future citizens for participation in a global society.
The Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts is proud to join this partnership, reinforcing its mission to make the arts accessible to individuals of all ages throughout the region.
Youth Art Month is sponsored nationally by the Council for Art Education, NASCO, AMACO, the National Art Education Association and the New York State Art Teachers Association.
Herkimer Central School District junior Addie Golicki poses at the Youth Art Month “Reflections” exhibition in the Cogar Gallery at Herkimer College. The other Herkimer students who participated in the exhibition are Bella Fratangelo and Nevaeh Skinner.
Art educators from schools in the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES region pose together at the Youth Art Month “Reflections” exhibition in the Cogar Gallery at Herkimer College.