Incredibly Cool Kids Art at Mystic Arts Center

“You can feel the energy as soon as you walk in the room. It’s just an explosion of color and creativity,” says “Young at Art” Chairperson, Amanda Oakes. “When you see the artwork you just go wow.”
Young at Art, New London County’s biggest annual youth art exhibition opens Saturday, February 16, 1 – 3pm at Mystic Museum of Art.
“The look on the kids’ faces when they win is just wonderful,” Oakes says.
Oakes, who has been involved in the exhibition for 14 years, continues to be amazed by the submissions Mystic Museum of Art receives. “A lot of the group pieces are always beautiful to see, but the submissions don’t have to be affiliated with an organization. Parents can enter art for their child as well.”
Last year, over 800 submissions from regional students aged 18 and younger illuminated the galleries at Mystic Museum of Art. The exhibition gives the region’s youth an opportunity to display their work in a professional setting. Submissions come from all over New London County and Rhode Island and include many group projects coordinated by local art teachers from area schools.
This year, Young at Art will be juried by Tracy Lawlor, education director at the William Benton Museum of Art. Tracy has led the Education Department at The William Benton Museum of Art on the UConn Campus in Storrs for 13 years. She has led the training of the museum’s Docent Corps and developed the Art Ambassadors Program, a docent training program that gives experiential learning to students who are passionate about art.
The show runs from February 16 – March 16. For more information about submissions, visit mysticarts.org.
The exhibition encourages the use of art to advance learning in the region’s schools and is part of Mystic Museum of Art’s commitment to fostering creativity in the community while bringing families together in a community space. A special Family Night event from 6pm – 8pm on March 7 is also planned during the exhibition. Free face painting, hands-on art making and children’s yoga will be available in MMoA’s galleries throughout the evening.
“Young at Art” is sponsored by Dominion, Steamboat Inn and the Family of Lil Maxwell.