Photo by Gabrielle Baldwin–11th Grade/HHMS Talented Art Program
HAMMOND — In celebration of National Youth Art Month in March, the Hammond Regional Arts Center will host its annual “Young Artists Exhibition,” showcasing works of art by students throughout Tangipahoa Parish. The exhibition will be displayed from March 14 through April 3, with an opening reception on March 14 from 5-8 p.m. in HRAC’s Main Gallery. Admission to the exhibition and reception is free to the public.The Young Artists Exhibition highlights students’ creativity and artistic development from elementary to high school levels, featuring a diverse range of media, including paintings, drawings, photography, sculptures and mixed media works. This exhibition provides young artists with a professional platform to present their work to the public and gain recognition for their artistic achievements. Participating schools this year include the Tangipahoa Talented Art Program, Hammond High Magnet School, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, THE D.C. Reeves Elementary, Tucker Elementary and Hammond Eastside Upper Magnet.“The Young Artists Exhibition is one of our most inspiring annual events,” said Tara Bennett, HRAC Media Coordinator. “It’s a celebration of creativity, passion and the promising future of the arts in our community. These students work incredibly hard, and this showcase gives them an opportunity to share their vision with a wider audience.”National Youth Art Month is an annual observance during March that emphasizes the value of art education and encourages public support for quality school art programs. It has been observed nationally since 1961.“At HRAC, we believe in fostering the next generation of artists by providing them with opportunities to showcase their talents,” Bennett said. “National Youth Art Month is the perfect time to highlight the importance of arts education and its impact on young minds. This exhibition not only celebrates their artistic achievements but also reinforces how creativity plays a vital role in critical thinking, self-expression and cultural understanding.”Concurrent with the “Young Artists Exhibition” will be “Living Still, A Study of Flora and Forms,” featuring artwork by art educator Virginia Berthelot. This exhibition will be displayed in HRAC’s upstairs Mezzanine Gallery and feature a selection of Berthelot’s paintings.Both exhibitions are free and open to the public during HRAC’s regular gallery hours, which are noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. For more information about this and other upcoming HRAC events, please visit hammondarts.org.
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