Creative works from Maine art students will be on display during the month of March at the Portland Museum of Art (PMA), including two from Boothbay Region schools.

This multi-media exhibition, sponsored by Maine Art Education Association (MAEA), highlights Youth Art Month, a national celebration sponsored by the 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. This event marks 25 years of collaboration between the Portland Museum of Art and the Maine Art Education Association to celebrate student creativity from pre-kindergarten-12th grade.

This year, Shawn Gamage, a fourth grade student at Boothbay Region Elementary School, was chosen by teacher Jessica Nadeau to display his artwork entitled “My Pattern Mountain” drawing. Also, Duyen Nguyen, a 12th grade student at Boothbay Region High School, was chosen by teacher Manon Lewis to display her graphite still life drawing.

Guest speakers for the event include representatives from the Portland Museum of Art and honorees as named by the Maine Art Education Association. This year’s MAEA Award for Excellence in Art Advocacy recognizes Waterfall Arts for long-standing support of arts education and youth creativity. Teacher Holly Houston from Yarmouth High School will be speaking as MAEA’s 2019 Art Educator of the Year.

The exhibition runs from March 1 through April 1 on the Lower Ground Floor of the PMA. The celebratory opening reception is Saturday, March 2 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Presentation of certificates will start with pre-kindergarten to third grade at 4:30, fourth to seventh grade at 5:30, and finally, eighth to twelfth grade at 6:30.

Please consider scheduling your arrival to allow time to enjoy the exhibition and the museum's collection. The galleries close at 6 p.m. Admission to the Youth Art Month exhibition is free the day of the opening for Youth Art Month participants, their families, and teachers. Children 14 years and under are always free at the PMA.

For more information on the Youth Art Month exhibition visit www.portlandmuseum.org/learn/youth-art-month