Johnson Elementary School and the Nahant Public Library announced they are teaming up to host a second annual student art exhibit in honor of National Youth Art Month in March.
The exhibit will launch on March 7 with an opening reception that includes refreshments from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and the works will remain on display through April 2.
Johnson Principal Kevin Andrews alluded to the easy decision to bring back this event for a second year due to the impact he feels it has on students.
“By giving the students this platform to show their work, it really makes them proud of what they’ve done and what they’ve accomplished,” Andrews said. “I think it really excites them about the impact that art can have on other people.”
Art teacher Laura Petrovich-Cheney was a driving force behind starting what is now this yearly tradition. As a Massachusetts Art Education Association member, Petrovich-Cheney was inspired to bring the nationally recognized Youth Art Month to her community.
“It’s an opportunity to connect children’s artwork with the community,” Petrovich-Cheney said.
From the community perspective, Petrovich-Cheney believes it’s important for them to see what the students are learning in an interesting and expressive way.
“Standardized tests are one thing, but they’re a little dry when you look at how they’re achieving and how they’re not,” Petrovich-Cheney said. “I just think it’s so educational for adults to be reflective on how children see the world because they’re going to inherit it.”
This year, the work of two students from each grade will be selected for the exhibit. Petrovich-Cheney explained that most of the works planned to be featured are still being crafted by her students.
“These works will be fresh out of the drying rack,” Petrovich-Cheney said.
She expressed gratitude to library director Nori Morganstein, who “warmly welcomed the opportunity to display the students’ artwork.”
