AUGUSTA — A free public reception for the second of this year’s celebratory events in Maine’s state capitol for student excellence in visual and performing arts is set for 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, in the Hall of Flags.

The event is made possible by The Maine Arts Commission and the Maine Department of Education, in partnership with the First Lady of Maine Ann LePage.

In addition to the exhibit of more than 60 pieces of student visual art throughout the capitol complex, musicians from Greely High School in Cumberland Center will perform. The exhibit represents student excellence in three school districts: School Administrative District 51 (Cumberland/North Yarmouth), Regional School Unit 3 (Unity), and Alternative Organizational Structure 91 (Mt. Desert). LePage will attend to congratulate and honor the students. Joining the First Lady will be Julie Richard, executive director of the Maine Arts Commission; William Beardsley, commissioner of education; Martha Harris, state board of education chairwoman; and Charles Stanhope, Maine Arts Commission chairman.

The program gives young artists the opportunity to have their artwork exhibited throughout the capitol complex and recognizes the high caliber of arts learning and teaching statewide. For each scheduled exhibit, three schools are selected on a first-come, first-serve basis to hang 20 pieces of art per school, as selected by the teachers. Exhibit schedules are full up to a year in advance.

Teachers participating in this exhibit include James Treadwell, Suzannah Wood and Lynda McCann-Olson from Greely Middle School and McCann-Olson and Joanne Matusko from the Mabel I. Wilson School in SAD 51; Greg Warren from Monroe Elementary, Morse Memorial and Walker schools, Linda Ravin from Mount View Elementary School, Eric Phillips from Mount View High School, and Gloria Hewett from Mount View Middle School in RSU 3; and Charles Johnson and Mary Swift from Mount Desert Island High School, Carol Shutt, Mount Desert Elementary School, Robert Sattler, Pemetic School, Chandra Raymond, Swan’s Island School and Tremont Consolidated School, and Connie Barnes, Trenton Elementary School, all in AOS 91.

The program rotates with the arts commission’s other Art in the Capitol programs year-round, providing the state’s legislators, staff, and general public with daily art and art education experiences in the state capitol. For more information about the Art in the Capitol program visit mainearts.maine.gov.

For more information about the Program, and all Maine Arts Commission’s arts education programs and services, contact Argy Nestor at argy.nestor@maine.gov or 287-2713.