Exhibits allow kids' talents to shine

Artistic skill runs in Samantha Crouch's family. Her father has been drawing since the first time he picked up a crayon, and both her twin and older sisters are painters. It is no surprise Samantha has artistic talent, too. \nCrouch, a seventh-grader, is one of more than 250 students from the Monroe County community who were chosen by their teachers to have artwork on display in celebration of Youth Art Month. The event has been observed nationally since 1961 and locally since 1973. From March 2 through March 13, students in first through sixth grade have their artwork exhibited in the IU Art Museum, while seventh through 12th grade students' artwork can be seen at the John Waldron Arts Center. \n"It is really cool to have two pieces of my artwork at the arts center," Crouch said. "I never thought it would get in here."\nBut this is not the first time Crouch has had the surprise of having her artwork on display. She was also chosen in third grade to have her work exhibited for Youth Art Month. \nThis year, she created an impressionist painting of a lighthouse, which can be seen in the Flashlight Gallery of the John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St., and a pen-and-ink drawing of her cat in the Education Gallery. Crouch's painting of the lighthouse is her favorite she said.\n"The lighthouse took me four to five days to paint," Samantha said. "I had to use a small paintbrush and take short brush strokes to make it."\nJohn Waldron Arts Center Gallery Director Mary Hambly said artistic students have been exhibiting their art in the Center for the past 10 years.\n"These young artists bring work that is fresh and interesting," Hambly said. "The Bloomington Area Arts Council is delighted to collaborate with the Monroe County School Corporation art teachers to show the community how important it is to have art instruction in the public schools."\nDiane Davis-Deckard of Bloomington High School North is one of the art teachers who has helped make Youth Art Month happen. Nineteen of her students have their artwork presented at the gallery. \n"Exhibiting student artwork in the community fosters excellence and a dedicated spirit to the pursuit of art, while bringing art to the attention of our schools and community," Davis-Deckard said. "Youth Art Month helps the community see and appreciate the hard work of the teachers and students who produce the work. It also gives the community a beautiful exhibit to share with friends and family." \nCrouch, her parents, grandparents and twin sister attended the Youth Art Month awards ceremony at the JWAC Auditorium Saturday. Crouch, along with every student who participated in the event, received a certificate. After the ceremony, the Crouches went to take a look at their daughter's artwork.\nCrouch plans to continue art through eighth grade and high school. Keep an eye out for her work at the JWAC in the years to come -- artistic talent is in her blood. \n"It's great to have Samantha's art in the gallery," said Bruce Crouch, the artist's father. "It's important that students are able to put artwork out where the public can see it."\n-- Contact staff writer Jaime Higginbotham at jlhiggin@indiana.edu.