Top student artists, juried from more than 6,500 student entries from Central Coast schools, will be honored at a free, public opening reception at the nonprofit Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse, from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, March 2. The exhibit will remain open in the Gill Gallery until the closing awards ceremony on Saturday, March 31 from 2-4 p.m.
“The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is one of the most exciting events Pacific Grove Art Center has been involved with in its 49-year history and something we have worked on since the summer of 2017,” said Adrianne M. Jonson, PGAC Board chair. “We are proud that PGAC was accepted last year as an affiliate partner of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards national office in New York City. Sarah and Jude Saleet have been the force behind this great event and opportunity for us.
“Since this is our first year as an Affiliate Partner of the Scholastic Awards, every step of this is brand new. Jude Saleet brought the program to our awareness when he joined our Board of Directors in 2016, and we are grateful for all the support we have received from the national office. Of course, none of this would be possible without our Executive Director when we began, Teresa Brown; our Scholastic Coordinator, Sarah Saleet; our volunteers, Claudia Sawyer and Jennifer Bicket, and all the members of the community that have stepped up to serve as jurors.
“The Central Coast is filled with a diverse and eclectic demographic of students. From the farmlands to Silicon Valley there is artistic potential in all of them, and the passion and support for the arts is prevalent in most communities here. Every area finds a significant and relevant way to make the arts a part of their lives and communities.
“Whether that is music and fashion at special events or fine arts sold in the galleries, the people of the Central Coast understand the importance of the arts in their lives, and we at the Pacific Grove Art Center are excited to be affiliated with the Scholastic Awards and the opportunities they provide for the students on the Central Coast. By partnering together, the Pacific Grove Art Center and the Scholastic Awards give our youth the support they need to become lasting members of their art and writing communities.”
Established in 1969, the free Pacific Grove Art Center, 568 Lighthouse, is a unique, community-based nonprofit art venue. Regular hours are from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. There is no charge, but donations are suggested and welcomed.
