The community is invited to see how “discovery” inspires local elementary students in the third and final AWAKEN exhibition now open at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA). AWAKEN is a series of three SLOMA exhibitions showcasing the creativity of local students. Student artists of all ages have been challenged to address a specific theme and produce artwork that reflects the student’s feelings about it.
“No two pieces are alike,” said Ruta Saliklis, SLOMA curator and director of exhibitions. “The raw creativity these young artists are sharing in their work is spectacular. Their imagination helped encompass our latest theme of discovery in a variety of ways.”
AWAKEN is aimed at inspiring students to engage in visual arts and boosting educational development. Studies show there is a strong correlation between art programs and superior problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Saliklis adds AWAKEN has given students a hands-on opportunity to be recognized for their creativity in a professional setting.
Several students in grades kindergarten through sixth participated in this exhibition. Saliklis says the museum received 220 hand-crafted art submissions from various mediums. The wide age-range of young artists in this final exhibition brings in diverse perspectives of the “discovery” theme and some fun surprises.
“Some of the art submissions come in 3-D forms of dragon bones, clay sunsets, paintings and drawings that give us a sense of their creative discovery,” Saliklis said. “The community will be impressed with the final showcase.”
Students like Bodie Ballard, who is in the fourth grade at Kermit King Elementary School, shows us how to discover the beauty in California with a 3-D floral design titled “California Love.” Other students encompassed “discovery” with back stories to their artwork, such as Mason Babb, who recreated a dragon bone on display at a museum.
AWAKEN is produced in partnership with the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education to highlight student artwork during the 2018–19 school year.
“It’s been a joy to see the talent we have here in San Luis Obispo County,” said Karen Kile, SLOMA executive director. “The AWAKEN campaign has helped identify true artists in the making.”
The spring exhibition runs from May 3-12. Some pieces are for sale to the public. Proceeds will go to the young artists and to benefit SLOMA’s youth education classes.
For more information on the AWAKEN campaign, go to sloma.org/awaken.
About The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art
The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art is located at 1010 Broad Street, on the west end of Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo, California. Admission is always free and open to the public Wednesday through Monday, 11–5 p.m. It is a 501(c)(3) public benefit nonprofit arts organization dedicated to providing and promoting diverse visual arts experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds through exhibitions, education, creation and collaboration. It preserves the artistic legacy of the California Central Coast in its permanent collection. Since 1967 this organization has been the beacon for the visual arts in its region. The Museum of Art is currently raising $15 million for a new home on its present location. More information about AWAKEN and SLOMA can be found at sloma.org.